DEZI FREEMAN has been shot dead by police after spending seven months on the run following the killing of two officers in Victoria.
Police tracked Freeman to a rural property in the state’s north-east, where a tense standoff unfolded early Monday morning. Officers surrounded a small structure on the property and called for him to surrender.
After several hours of negotiations, a man believed to be Freeman came outside. Authorities say he was armed, and officers opened fire. He died at the scene.
Mike Bush said police aimed to resolve the situation peacefully. However, Freeman did not surrender despite multiple warnings.
Officials are still completing formal identification, but authorities believe the man is Freeman. No police officers were injured during the operation, and an internal investigation will review the incident, as required in such cases.
Freeman had been wanted since August, when he shot and killed two police officers at his property in Porepunkah. The officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart, were conducting an investigation when the attack occurred.
The case triggered a large-scale search across remote bushland. Despite extensive efforts, Freeman managed to avoid capture for months.
Jacinta Allan described the outcome as the end of a dangerous chapter, stating that the threat he posed has now been removed.
Authorities have informed the families of the fallen officers. Police say the confirmation of Freeman’s identity will provide some sense of closure, although the impact of the tragedy remains.
Investigators are now examining whether Freeman received help while hiding. Officials believe he may not have survived alone in remote areas without assistance. Anyone found to have supported him could face legal consequences.
The case has drawn attention due to Freeman’s extremist views and the scale of the manhunt. While his death ends the search, authorities continue to focus on uncovering the full details behind his time in hiding.
