Australian police have shot and killed Dezi Freeman, a fugitive wanted for killing two officers. The 56-year-old was located and apprehended after a seven-month manhunt in Victoria.
The Final Operation
Australian police have shot and killed Dezi Freeman, a 56-year-old fugitive wanted for the fatal shooting of two officers in August 2025. The incident occurred on Monday at a property in northeast Victoria, where Freeman was found inside a shipping container near Walwa, about 188 kilometers from Porepunkah, where the original shootings took place.
Freeman, a member of the so-called 'sovereign citizen' movement, had been on the run since August 26, 2025, when he allegedly opened fire on a team of 10 police officers executing a search warrant at his property in Porepunkah. The shooting resulted in the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 34, while a third officer was injured.
Authorities had offered a A$1 million (US$684,700) reward for information leading to Freeman's capture. Police had been hunting him for seven months, with the operation involving hundreds of officers, including interstate and federal police, as well as personnel from New Zealand. The search spanned rugged bushland in Mount Buffalo National Park, where Freeman was believed to have expert bushcraft skills and multiple powerful firearms.
No police officers were injured during the operation that led to Freeman's death. Victoria Police confirmed the incident in a statement but did not immediately identify the man shot. The state coroner will attend the scene, and Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command will oversee the investigation into the shooting.
Background and Context
Freeman was described as a divisive figure drawn to the anti-authority 'sovereign citizen' movement, which falsely asserts that government authority and laws do not apply to its members. The movement has been linked to conspiracy theories and legal challenges to government legitimacy.
The search for Freeman was Australia's largest-ever tactical police operation, involving extensive resources and coordination. Police had previously urged Freeman to surrender, with his wife, Amalia Freeman, also appealing to him to turn himself in.
Reactions and Implications
Wayne Gatt, secretary of the Police Association Victoria, described the shooting as a 'step forward' for the force, though he acknowledged it would not lessen the trauma for the families of the fallen officers or the wider community. 'Our members said they would find him. They did,' Gatt said, emphasizing the closure for the families and the community.
Victorian government minister Sonya Kilkenny called the situation a 'developing situation' and expressed support for the Porepunkah community and the families of the slain officers. The shootings occurred during a warrant execution over historical sexual assault allegations.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in dealing with individuals associated with fringe movements and the challenges of manhunts in remote, rugged terrain.