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Porepunkah police shootings

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Porepunkah police shootings
LocationPorepunkah, Victoria
Coordinates36°42′8″S 146°52′58″E / 36.70222°S 146.88278°E / -36.70222; 146.88278
Date26 August 2025 (2025-08-26)
10:37 am[1] (AEST, UTC+10:00)
TargetVictoria Police officers
Weapons
Deaths2 police officers
Injured
1 police officer

On the morning of 26 August 2025, two police officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, were shot and killed. This happened at a farm near the small town of Porepunkah in Victoria, Australia. The officers were there to serve a legal warrant. A third officer was hurt. The man police think did the shooting is Dezi Bird Freeman. He is a "sovereign citizen" (someone who believes laws do not apply to them) and was already known to police. He ran away into the thick woods of Mount Buffalo National Park.

A huge manhunt (search for a criminal) began. Hundreds of police officers from Victoria and other states joined the search. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Defence Force (the military) also helped. Freeman has been missing for 198 days. No one has seen him since the shootings.

This is the largest police search in Australian history. There is a A$1,000,000 reward for anyone who gives information that leads to his arrest. This is the biggest reward ever offered in the state of Victoria.

Background

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It is very rare for people to die from guns in Australia, especially police officers. The country has very strict gun laws. These laws started in 1996 after 35 people were killed in the Port Arthur massacre.[2]

Dezi Freeman

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Desmond Christopher Filby was born in 1968 or 1969. He went to school in a suburb of Melbourne called Glen Waverley. In 1977, his family moved to Wodonga. By 2003, he changed his name to Dezi Bird Freeman. People in the sovereign citizen movement often choose the name "Freeman."[3][4] Freeman's job was a photographer.[5] He was very good at bushcraft (surviving in the wild). He had been hiking in Mount Buffalo National Park since he was a teenager. His son said the park was like his "second home."[6]

Since 2019, Freeman posted angry messages on social media about the police. He wrote that police officers should be "exterminated."[4] In 2024, he went to court because his driver's license was taken away. He called the police "Nazis" and "thugs."[7] He was in court many times for different charges and was often very rude to judges. [8] His nephew said that Freeman always seemed to have a "hidden anger."[9] In 2020, his gun license was cancelled.[10]

Freeman's views became even more extreme during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was against vaccines and lockdowns, and he refused to wear a mask.[5][11] He believed the government had no power over him.[8] In 2021, he tried to sue the Premier of Victoria for treason, but the court threw the case out.[12] He also appeared on the TV show A Current Affair in 2018 because of a fight with his neighbors.[13] By 2025, he was telling people the end of the world was coming.[8]

In August 2025, Freeman lived with his wife and two children at "Four Gully Farm" near Porepunkah.[14][6] This farm was about 320 km (200 mi) away from Melbourne.[15] Several people lived on the property. Some of them shared Freeman's anti-government views.[16] Freeman and his family lived in a bus and some shipping containers.[8]

Shootings

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Around 10:30 am on 26 August 2025, ten police officers went to the farm. They were there to check the property because of a warrant related to guns and historical child abuse charges.[17][15][18] The police thought it was safe enough to go without a special SWAT team (SOG).[19][20][21]

Freeman was inside his bus with his wife and child. He started yelling at the police.[22][23] When Freeman would not come out, Officer Neal Thompson opened a window and climbed inside. Two shots were fired. Thompson and Officer Vadim De Waart-Hottart were killed.[23][22]

A family member filmed the 27 minutes before the shooting. A third officer was shot in the leg and hid under the bus for an hour until help arrived.[24] Freeman tried to shoot a fourth officer, but his homemade gun jammed (it did not work).[25] Police shot back at him but missed. Freeman then stole the dead officers' handguns and ran into the bush alone.[26]

The SOG tactical team arrived by helicopter from Melbourne before noon.[27] People in the area were told to stay inside, and the local primary school was locked for safety.[28]

Manhunt

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Mount Buffalo National Park was closed while police searched for Freeman.[29]

Almost 500 officers were sent to find Freeman and keep the town safe. [30][31][32][a] All of Australia's state police forces and the federal police helped with the search.[34][35] Ambulance Victoria and the State Emergency Service (SES) were also there to help.

The search was very hard because the weather was cold, snowy, and windy.[36] The area around Mount Buffalo has very thick bush, caves, and old mines where someone could hide.[37] People who live there said Freeman is an expert in the bush and could survive for many weeks.[37]

Police made a "no-fly zone" so that no airplanes or drones could fly over the search area.[38] On 29 September, the zone was still in place.[39] Parks Victoria also closed the national park to keep people away.[37]

Freeman's wife became a major focus for the news media.[26] On 28 August, police raided a property in Porepunkah and arrested her and her 15-year-old son. They were questioned by police and then let go while the investigation continued.[31][40] Four days later, she spoke to the public and asked her husband to give himself up. She said she supported the police, did not share her husband's anti-government views, and was very sorry for the deaths of the officers.[41]

On 6 September, police offered a A$1,000,000 reward for information to help catch Freeman. This is the largest reward ever offered in Victoria for an arrest.[42] By 29 September, the public had given the police more than 1,400 tips.[9] Police searched parts of the national park several times after people thought they saw him.

Map
Mount Buffalo National Park is outlined in red. The location of the shootings is indicated by the blue marker.

On 12 September, 17 days after the shooting, a huge tactical team searched for Freeman. This team included special police from every Australian state and New Zealand. It was the largest operation of its kind in Australian history, with more than 125 tactical officers.[29][34] Two days later, the government told people it was safe to travel to Porepunkah again, but warned them to stay careful.[43]

At the end of September, the police reduced the number of officers in the search to about 200.[44] By then, they had searched over 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi) and hundreds of homes and farms.[39] They also searched in towns further away, like Goomalibee.[45] Mount Buffalo National Park stayed closed to the public while police continued their work there.[46]

People have many different ideas about what happened to Freeman. Soon after the shooting, police thought local people might be helping him hide.[47] They set up a place in the town of Bright, Victoria where people could go to give information. Some experts believe Freeman would not surrender because of his strange "sovereign citizen" beliefs.[48] Others think he might have killed himself or is hiding in a cave or old mine. In early October, special dogs that can find dead bodies were brought from Queensland to help search.[49]

On 6 October, Freeman’s brother said he thought Freeman had probably died a few days after the shooting on a mountain near his home.[50]

On 14 October, the park was partly reopened. Police asked people who used trail cameras (cameras that take pictures of animals) to check them for any photos of Freeman.[51]

On 24 October, the park was fully reopened. Police said they had received 1,700 pieces of information from the public. They started a new group called "Taskforce Summit" to keep looking for him.[52]

On 9 November, police fired many gunshots in the bush. They did this to listen to the echoes and compare them to what people heard on the day of the shootings. They hoped this would help them find exactly where Freeman went.[53]

In early December, police and special dogs spent five days searching a small area of the park. They were looking for Freeman's body. They had searched this area before when they thought he was still alive.[54]

Victims

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Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, who was 59, and Belgian-born Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, who was 35, were the two officers killed.[55]

Thompson was almost ready to retire.[55] He had been a police officer since 1987. During his 38 years of work, he served in many different places, including Melbourne and Wangaratta.[56] He was chosen for this job because he had spoken to Freeman before and they had a good relationship.[57] De Waart-Hottart joined the police in 2018. He spoke many languages, including Spanish, French, and Flemish.[56]

The detective who was shot in the leg had surgery at a hospital in Melbourne. [27] By 6 September, he was home and getting better.[42]

The funerals for the officers were held in early September. More than a thousand people attended, including the Prime Minister and the Premier of Victoria.[55]

Reactions

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Flowers left in Melbourne, Victoria, to remember the officers who were killed.

Government leaders like Anthony Albanese and Jacinta Allan said they were very sad. They praised the officers for being brave and said the "sovereign citizen" beliefs were dangerous and wrong.[58] Across Victoria, many famous buildings were lit up in blue to honor the officers.[59] Parliament held a moment of silence, and flags were flown at half-mast.[60]

News reporters compared this event to other police shootings in Australia.[61] Most people in the sovereign citizen movement did not say much about Freeman. However, one associate defended him, saying he had the right to protect his property.[62] A man in Adelaide was arrested for carrying a sign with Freeman’s face on it during a protest.[63]

Porepunkah

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After the shooting, many police and news reporters came to Porepunkah.[26] Because of the search and warnings, tourists stopped coming to the town. This was hard for local businesses, especially because it was the busy season for skiing and snow sports.[64]

On 15 September, the government promised $2.5 million to help local businesses.[65] Some people felt this was not enough money. Weeks later, some businesses said they still had not received any money or help.[66]

Local people hope their town will still be known as a beautiful place to visit, and not just for this tragedy.[67] While many people support the police, some became frustrated because there were so many police officers in the streets for such a long time.[68]

Notes

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  1. ↑ The number of police officers was the largest ever used for a search in Australia.[33]

References

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  1. ↑ "'They were fathers, brothers, sons, friends': police pause to remember". The Border Mail. 2 September 2025.
  2. ↑ "Police search Australian bush for gunman after two officers killed". France 24. 2025-08-27. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  3. ↑ Anderson, Cheyne (2025-08-29). "Accused cop killer Dezi Freeman is still on the run. Here's what we know about him". SBS News. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  4. 1 2 "Accused gunman Dezi Freeman wrote about dead police on Instagram". ABC News. 28 August 2025.
  5. 1 2 "The descent of Dezi Freeman is warning of wider perils". The Age. 28 August 2025.
  6. 1 2 Drill, Stephen; Alfares, Mohammad (8 September 2025). "Like 'Rambo': Dezi Freeman's son speaks out". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 9 September 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "Alleged Porepunkah shooter once described police as 'terrorist thugs'". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 McKenzie-Murray, Martin (2025-09-20). "The rise of sovereign citizens and the hunt for Dezi Freeman". The Saturday Paper. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  9. 1 2 Lorigan, Mike; Polimeni, Melissa (2025-10-01). "Former friends and family paint portrait of alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman". 7.30. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  10. ↑ Pearson, Erin (27 August 2025). "'Leave me alone, you terrorist': Dezi Freeman's frequent run-ins with the police he hated". The Age. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  11. ↑ Delaney, Angus; Houston, Cameron; Jaeger, Carla; Miletic, Daniella (26 August 2025). "Victoria Police shooting LIVE updates: Two officers shot dead and one wounded after ambush in High Country". The Age. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  12. ↑ Driver, George (29 August 2025). "No, accused cop killer wasn't due to take former premier to court". Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025. Dezi Freeman, 56, is linked to a failed private prosecution of Mr Andrews in 2021, with the case thrown out of court at the first hearing.
  13. ↑ Ore, Adeshola; Bogle, Ariel (26 August 2025). "Who is Dezi Freeman? Porepunkah shooting suspect called police 'terrorist thugs' and tried to arrest a magistrate, court records reveal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  14. ↑ Wertheimer, Tiffany (27 August 2025). "Who is Dezi Freeman, the 'sovereign citizen' wanted for killing police?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  15. 1 2 Kolovos, Benita; Bucci, Nino (27 August 2025). "Slain Victoria police officers named as search for alleged killer continues". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  16. ↑ Jaeger, Carla; Houston, Cameron; Cunningham, Melissa; Delaney, Angus (7 September 2025). "Inside the Porepunkah property that put a couple into the middle of a double murder probe". The Age. Archived from the original on 9 September 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  17. ↑ Visser, Nick; May, Natasha; Cassidy, Caitlin; Dumas, Daisy (27 August 2025). "Loud bangs heard near rural Australian property as suspect remains on run – as it happened". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  18. ↑ "Search for Desmond Filby @ Freeman in relation to two police officers fatally shot - Porepunkah". Victoria Police (Press release). 27 August 2025. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025.
  19. ↑ Abbott, Lachlan; Houston, Cameron (30 August 2025). "Police opted against SOG role in arresting alleged Porepunkah gunman". The Age. Archived from the original on 17 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  20. ↑ Magennis, Molly (26 August 2025). "Two police officers killed in shooting at rural property". Seven News. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  21. ↑ Boaz, Judd (26 August 2025). "Manhunt continues in Victoria for suspected identified gunman as two officers killed — as it happened - Police were executing warrant for historical sex offences". ABC News. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  22. 1 2 Bucci, Nino (10 September 2025). "Police condemn release of footage taken when Dezi Freeman allegedly shot two officers dead in Porepunkah". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  23. 1 2 Delaney, Angus; Darling, Alexander (10 September 2025). "Moments before fatal Porepunkah shooting filmed by family member". The Age. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  24. ↑ Alfares, Mohammad (10 September 2025). "'Distressing': Victoria Police slam footage of Dezi Freeman search". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  25. ↑ Zervos, Cassie (10 October 2025). Twist of fate that helped a policewoman survive the deadly Porepunkah ambush. Seven News (Television production). Seven Network. Retrieved 26 October 2025 – via YouTube.
  26. 1 2 3 Jackson, Blair (26 September 2025). "Search for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman hits one month milestone". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  27. 1 2 Aubrey, Sophie; Absalom-Wong, Matthew; McKendrick, Tom (28 August 2025). "Death knock: From mountain murders to a massive manhunt". The Age. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  28. ↑ "Two police officers killed in shooting in Porepunkah, north-east of Melbourne". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  29. 1 2 Brown, Melissa; Ortolan, Mikaela (14 September 2025). "Dezi Freeman search at Porepunkah now Australia's largest tactical police deployment". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  30. ↑ Cunningham, Melissa (30 September 2025). "Hunt for police killer Dezi Freeman scaled back as fallen officers remembered". The Age. Nine Entertainment. with AAP. p. 3. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Arrests made during search for Dezi Freeman were his wife and son, police reveal". ABC News. 29 August 2025. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  32. ↑ McLeod, Catie (2025-08-31). "Wife of alleged Porepunkah killer Dezi Freeman urges him to surrender, sharing 'deep sorrow' at police deaths". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  33. ↑ Scott, Elfy (2025-10-03). "How the Dezi Freeman search could wind down — and how major Australian manhunts ended". SBS News. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  34. 1 2 Vedelago, Chris (14 September 2025). "After three weeks, travel warning lifted as police continue search for suspected police killer". The Age. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  35. ↑ Hedgeman, Andrew (30 August 2025). "Deadly ambush in the mountains: Fifth day chasing an alleged cop killer". News.com.au.
  36. ↑ "Live updates: Two officers killed, one injured in shooting at rural property in Victoria; Accused gunman identified as 'sovereign citizen' Dezi Freeman". Nine Network. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  37. 1 2 3 "Live: Porepunkah residents remain in lockdown as search for alleged gunman continues". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  38. ↑ Kelly, Cate (29 August 2025). "No-fly zone extended in Porepunkah". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  39. 1 2 Jenkins, Olivia (29 September 2025). "Police scale back manhunt for cop killer Dezi Freeman". Herald Sun.
  40. ↑ Alfares, Mohammad; Ferguson, John; Johnston, Damon; Kibel, Georgie (29 August 2025). "'Lay down your guns'; top cop's direct message to accused killer". The Australian. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  41. ↑ Brown, Melissa (31 August 2025). "Dezi Freeman's wife has urged the alleged Porepunkah gunman to surrender". ABC News. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  42. 1 2 "$1M reward announced for capture of Desmond Freeman". Victoria Police (Press release). 6 September 2025. Archived from the original on 5 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  43. ↑ Smee, Ben (14 September 2025). "Porepunkah travel warnings eased after 'largest ever' tactical police operation in search for Dezi Freeman". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  44. ↑ Felam, Alexandra (30 September 2025). "'We won't give up': Police scale back search for fugitive Dezi Freeman". news.com.au. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  45. ↑ Darling, Alexander; Pascual Juanola, Marta (2 October 2025). "Police swoop on isolated hamlet in bid to flush out Dezi Freeman". The Age. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  46. ↑ "Search for alleged Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman remains focused on Mount Buffalo". ABC news. October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Police believe Dezi Freeman is being helped, saying 'people know' gunman's whereabouts". ABC News. 2025-08-31. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  48. ↑ "A month on, doubts mount about police search for fugitive Freeman". ABC News. 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  49. ↑ Jakes, Elodie (2 October 2025). "Extra police, cadaver dogs join hunt for alleged cop-killer Dezi Freeman in national park". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  50. ↑ Delaney, Angus (Oct 7, 2025). "'I hope he's at peace now': Unseen footage of Dezi Freeman emerges as brother believes him dead". The Age. Retrieved Oct 8, 2025.
  51. ↑ Coghill, Sophie (October 14, 2025). "Aussies urged to check one thing in search for Dezi Freeman amid $1 million reward". Yahoo News. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  52. ↑ "Taskforce Summit leads search for Desmond Freeman". Victoria Police (Press release). 24 October 2025. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  53. ↑ McIlveen, Ella (Nov 9, 2025). "Small detail that could lead police to accused double murderer Dezi Freeman". news.com.au. Retrieved Nov 9, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Search for wanted fugitive Desmond Freeman continues". Victoria Police (Press release). 5 December 2025. Archived from the original on 5 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  55. 1 2 3 "Police officer Neal Thompson farewelled by grief-stricken girlfriend". ABC News. 2025-09-08. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  56. 1 2 "Victoria Police names fallen police officers". Victoria Police (Press release). 27 August 2025. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025.
  57. ↑ Haritos, Costa (27 August 2025). "What we know about the two police officers shot dead in Porepunkah". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  58. ↑ "Manhunt for 'sovereign citizen' in rural Australia after two police shot dead". The Independent. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  59. ↑ Boaz, Judd (27 August 2025). "Buildings across Victoria light up blue". ABC News. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  60. ↑ "Porepunkah shooting: Police issue warning as search for alleged killer continues". SBS News. Australian Associated Press. 27 August 2025. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  61. ↑ Gunders, Peter (28 August 2025). "Tara and Wieambilla residents reach out to Porepunkah after 'two very similar' police shootings". ABC News. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  62. ↑ McKay, Scobie (2025-08-28). "Why the sovereign citizen movement is no longer a fringe curiosity". Crikey. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  63. ↑ "Man charged after displaying Dezi Freeman placard at anti-immigration rally". ABC News. 2025-09-02. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
  64. ↑ "Police reviewing 'remarkable' amount of new Dezi Freeman information". ABC News. 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
  65. ↑ Bucci, Nino. "'We've got no tourists': small businesses caught up in Australia's largest manhunt struggle as aid announced". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  66. ↑ "As the Dezi Freeman manhunt drags on, so do the dark days in Porepunkah". ABC News. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  67. ↑ "Porepunkah grapples with identity in the wake of violence". ABC News. 2025-08-30. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
  68. ↑ Ferguson, John; Alfares, Mohammad (2 October 2025). "Revealed: Dezi Freeman's wife fled cop shooting scene, child in arms". The Australian.

Further reading

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Other websites

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