Shock, sadness and relief in town at centre of Australia's seven-month manhunt for Dezi Freeman
The Australian town has been in the spotlight since Dezi Freeman shot dead two police officers last year.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"There was a degree of shock to hear that had happened and it didn't take very long then for a wave of sadness to fall."
— Marcus Warner , Other
"To some degree it's a weight lifted off our shoulders. We feel we can breathe again."
— Marcus Warner , Other
"Our community has been deeply affected by these recent events, which have had a significant impact on many individuals and families."
— Sarah Nicholas , Other
"It was a big event that happened, but I think there's enough good things that happen around the town that will overshadow it eventually."
— Balin Foley , Other
"We believe it is Freeman, but we have to go through a formal identification process."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"This was all about bringing this to a conclusion as safely as possible."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"We have to follow every avenue of inquiry and there was a lot to suggest that Freeman had taken his own life."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"Everything I know at this point tells me that this shooting was justified."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he declined."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"The main thing is that our thoughts, our concerns and our support are with the Porepunkah community and, of course, the families of the two police officers killed in that tragic incident almost six months ago."
— Sonya Kilkenny , Politician
"Everything I know at this point tells me that this shooting was justified."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"confirmed the justification of the shooting"
— Mike Bush , Executive
"There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"a dark cloud has hung over the Porepunkah community for months."
— Helen Haines , Politician
"We believe it is Freeman, but we have to go through a formal identification process."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"This was all about bringing this to a conclusion as safely as possible. Our ultimate goal was to arrest the person there … as peacefully as possible."
— Mike Bush , Executive
"We have to follow every avenue of inquiry and there was a lot to suggest that Freedman had taken his own life."
— Mike Bush , Executive
Key People
A business owner in the neighboring town of Bright, concerned about the local tourism industry.
Desmond Freeman is a fugitive gunman believed to have killed two police officers in Australia.
Dezi Freeman is a conspiracy theorist accused of killing two police officers.
Local member of parliament expressing concern over community impact.
A long-time search-and-rescue volunteer and chamber of commerce president in the Alpine region.
Mike Bush is the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.
Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson was a local police officer killed in the incident.
A friend of one of the slain officers, reflecting on the events.
The Mayor of Alpine Shire, addressing the community's need for support.
Sonya Kilkenny is a Victorian government minister.
Senior Constable Vadim de Waart was another police officer killed during the shooting.
Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart was killed in the shooting incident.
Tags
All Coverage
The Australian town has been in the spotlight since Dezi Freeman shot dead two police officers last year.
Australian police fatally shot a man believed to be Dezi Freeman, 56, after a three-hour standoff near Thologolong, northeast of Melbourne. Freeman had been on the run for seven months after allegedly killing two police officers and seriously injuring another during an attempted warrant service near Porepunkah in August 2025.
A man accused of killing two police officers in Australia and seriously wounding a third has been shot dead by officers following a seven-month manhunt. Dezi Freeman, 56, allegedly opened fire on police officers who came to serve a warrant at his home near Porepunkah, in the Victoria state northeast of Melbourne, on August 26 last year.
Australian police have shot dead a fugitive gunman who had been on the run since August after allegedly killing two officers in the state of Victoria, Australian media reported on Monday. Police had been hunting for Dezi Freeman, previously known as Desmond Filby, since the shooting on a rural property that also injured a third officer.
A fugitive accused of killing two police officers is believed to have been shot dead, Australian police have said. Dezi Freeman, 56, was on the run for seven months after allegedly killing two officers in a remote town in Victoria state. On Monday, police said they believed he was engaged in a three-hour standoff inside a rural property northeast of Victoria.
Australian police concluded a seven-month manhunt by fatally shooting Dezi Freeman, accused of killing two officers. The operation involved over 450 officers and concluded in the remote Walwa area.
Australian police fatally shot Dezi Freeman, previously known as Desmond Filby, after an extensive search lasting over two months. Freeman had opened fire on police officers in August 2025, injuring a third officer before escaping into Mount Buffalo National Park.
Australian police fatally shot a man believed to be Dezi Freeman after a three-hour standoff near Thologolong, Victoria. Freeman had been on the run for seven months after allegedly killing two police officers in August 2025.
Victoria Police have shot dead a man believed to be fugitive gunman Dezi Freeman at a rural property in the state’s north-east. He was reportedly shot shortly after 8.30 this morning following a three-hour stand off. Victoria Police is yet to officially confirm the identity of the man but mainstream media understands it was Freeman who has been on the run since the fatal shooting of two police officers last August.
One of the largest manhunts in Australian history ended when police fatally shot Dezi Freeman, a self-proclaimed 'sovereign citizen' who had been hiding for seven months after allegedly killing two police officers in rural Victoria.
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