Dezi Freeman, the man accused of fatally shooting two Victoria police officers last August, has been shot dead by police after a seven-month manhunt. The shooting occurred at an isolated property near Thologolong on Monday morning, ending a massive search that spanned rugged terrain and fueled months of speculation.
The Manhunt and Discovery
For more than 200 days, Freeman evaded authorities in the hills of highland Victoria. Police arrived at the 35-hectare Murray River Road property about 24 hours before the confrontation, acting on a tipoff that Freeman had been sighted near Walwa.
Freeman was living in a makeshift camp consisting of shipping containers and portable structures, lacking running water or electricity. Authorities are investigating who aided and abetted him, and how he managed to survive for so long.
Final Confrontation
Police say they confronted Freeman in the early hours of Monday morning, urging him to surrender peacefully. After a three-hour standoff, Freeman reportedly emerged from his hideout, covered in a blanket or doona.
He then revealed a weapon – believed to be the service weapon of one of the officers he allegedly shot in August – prompting multiple officers to open fire. No police were injured during the incident.
Investigation and Confirmation
Victoria police commissioner Mike Bush stated that officers had seen video of the confrontation and that Freeman was given every opportunity to surrender. Bush added, “It is quite clear to us now that the deceased was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully and did not take that option.”
While formal identification is pending, police believe they have located and neutralized the suspect. “We believe it’s Dezi,” Bush said.
The coronial process and a Professional Standards investigation are underway, standard procedure in police-involved shootings. Bush stated, “Everything I know at this moment tells me the shooting was justified.”
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