A 56-year-old Australian man has been identified as the suspect in a deadly shooting that left two police officers dead and a third seriously wounded, as a large-scale manhunt entered its second day on Wednesday in Victoria’s remote northeast.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the suspect, Dezi Freeman , was “heavily armed” and skilled in wilderness survival. Authorities have urged residents in the area to remain indoors.
“Be vigilant, keep yourselves safe. Please don’t go outside if you don’t need to,” Bush told locals.
A ' sovereign citizen '
Australian media reported that Freeman espoused so-called ‘sovereign citizen’ beliefs. A 2021 video showed him attempting to “arrest” a magistrate and police officers while representing himself in court.
Sovereign citizen movements reject government authority using debunked legal arguments. In a 2024 Supreme Court case, where Freeman unsuccessfully challenged the suspension of his driver’s license, a judge noted his “history of unpleasant encounters with police,” whom he referred to as “Nazis ” and “terrorist thugs .”
Bush cautioned, however, that it was “too soon to say” if ideology motivated the attack. He added that the targeted officers were part of a specialist unit investigating sexual offenses and child abuse.
The incident
The shooting unfolded on Tuesday, when 10 armed officers attempted to execute a search warrant at Freeman’s property in Porepunkah, a town of just over 1,000 people, nearMelbourne.
Freeman allegedly opened fire, killing a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable. A second detective was shot and his injuries are non-life threatening.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the suspect, Dezi Freeman , was “heavily armed” and skilled in wilderness survival. Authorities have urged residents in the area to remain indoors.
“Be vigilant, keep yourselves safe. Please don’t go outside if you don’t need to,” Bush told locals.
A ' sovereign citizen '
Australian media reported that Freeman espoused so-called ‘sovereign citizen’ beliefs. A 2021 video showed him attempting to “arrest” a magistrate and police officers while representing himself in court.
Sovereign citizen movements reject government authority using debunked legal arguments. In a 2024 Supreme Court case, where Freeman unsuccessfully challenged the suspension of his driver’s license, a judge noted his “history of unpleasant encounters with police,” whom he referred to as “Nazis ” and “terrorist thugs .”
Bush cautioned, however, that it was “too soon to say” if ideology motivated the attack. He added that the targeted officers were part of a specialist unit investigating sexual offenses and child abuse.
The incident
The shooting unfolded on Tuesday, when 10 armed officers attempted to execute a search warrant at Freeman’s property in Porepunkah, a town of just over 1,000 people, nearMelbourne.
Freeman allegedly opened fire, killing a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable. A second detective was shot and his injuries are non-life threatening.
You may also like
Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic school: At least 20 hurt as gunman opens fire; Donald Trump reacts
Love Is Blind UK star's dramatic wedding moment saw guests 'stop breathing'
Tottenham have £55m Lucas Paqueta transfer secret weapon as West Ham exit stance revealed
Female guard at UK 'super prison' had 'inappropriate relationships' with two lags
Indian Army, IIT Madras to host Terrier Cyber Quest 2025 in Delhi
