Police board a helicopter at a command area at Fearthertop Winery in Porepunkah in Victoria, Australia, Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025.
Australian police have identified the man behind a deadly shooting that killed two officers and injured a third. The manhunt entered its second day on Wednesday as authorities warned residents in Victoria’s northeast to remain indoors.
Suspect Named as Dezi Freeman
Victoria Police confirmed the suspect as 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, an armed man with advanced wilderness survival skills. Police Commissioner Mike Bush said Freeman is considered extremely dangerous and is believed to be hiding in dense forest near Porepunkah, a small rural town about 320 kilometers northeast of Melbourne.
Attack During Search Operation
The shooting occurred on Tuesday when ten armed officers attempted to execute a search warrant at Freeman’s property. Freeman opened fire, killing a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable. Another detective was shot but survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
Commissioner Bush described the attack as cold-blooded, saying the officers were “murdered without warning.” Freeman then fled the property on foot, heavily armed, disappearing into the rugged bushland.
Freeman’s Anti-Police Beliefs Under Scrutiny
Investigators are still examining Freeman’s motives, but his anti-police stance has been well documented. Local media reported that Freeman had expressed sovereign citizen beliefs, a fringe ideology that rejects government authority.
In a 2021 court appearance in Wangaratta, Freeman attempted to “arrest” a magistrate and police officers, citing debunked legal theories. A 2024 Supreme Court ruling also highlighted his hostile attitude, with judges noting he repeatedly called police “Nazis” and “terrorist thugs.”
Police have not confirmed whether these views influenced Tuesday’s attack, but Bush acknowledged Freeman’s past clashes with law enforcement.
Residents Ordered to Stay Indoors
The small community of Porepunkah, known for vineyards and alpine tourism, has been on edge since the shooting. Schools and public buildings were locked down on Tuesday, and authorities extended warnings into Wednesday.
“Be vigilant and stay indoors unless necessary,” Bush told residents. He confirmed Freeman’s wife and two children had spoken with police late Tuesday night, easing initial fears about their safety.
Freeman’s survival skills are making the search more difficult, with dense forest providing cover. Police continue to conduct extensive ground and air searches, but the suspect remains at large.
Rare Police Shootings in Australia
The incident has shaken the nation. Police Association Victoria Secretary Wayne Gatt described the mood in police stations as one of “shock and dread.”
Australia rarely sees fatal shootings of police officers. The last officer killed in the line of duty was in South Australia in 2023. In 2022, two officers were murdered by conspiracy-driven extremists in Queensland during a violent siege.
The country’s strict gun laws, introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people, make such incidents uncommon. Yet, this latest attack has reignited concerns about extremist ideologies and gun violence in rural communities.
Manhunt Continues
Authorities remain determined to capture Freeman. Search teams, backed by helicopters and tactical units, are combing the rugged bushland. Police have appealed for public cooperation, urging residents not to approach the suspect under any circumstances.
As the manhunt stretches into another day, the nation watches closely. The loss of two officers has left communities grieving, while fears of further violence remain high.
