Manhunt Underway for Suspect in Deadly Shooting of Two Victoria Police Officers
A massive, multi-agency search is underway in Victoria, Australia, for a heavily armed man accused of fatally shooting two police officers and seriously injuring a third on Tuesday morning in Porepunkah, a rural town approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “horrific,” expressing his condolences to the grieving families and acknowledging the inherent risks faced by law enforcement personnel.
Two Officers Killed in Shootout
A 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable were killed during a shootout at a property on Rayner Track shortly after 10:30 a.m. local time. According to a senior official,the officers were attempting to execute a search warrant when they were “met by the offender and they were murdered in cold blood.” A third detective sustained serious injuries, suffering a gunshot wound to the lower body, and underwent surgery on Tuesday.
The suspect has been identified as Dezi Freeman, a resident of porepunkah.Authorities believe Freeman is a “sovereign citizen” and reportedly made previous statements referring to police as “terrorist thugs.”
Did you know? – Sovereign citizens ofen reject government authority and laws. They may believe they are not subject to laws and regulations, including those enforced by police. This can lead to confrontations with law enforcement.
extensive Search and Public Warnings
Victoria Police Chief commissioner Mike Bush stated that hundreds of officers have been assigned to the search, deploying “every resource” to apprehend Freeman. “He is obviously a very risky person and he needs to be caught,” Bush said.
On Tuesday night,residents of Porepunkah received urgent text message alerts from Victoria Police advising them to remain indoors due to the presence of an “active armed offender.” Police have confirmed that Freeman is believed to be operating alone in the bushland surrounding Porepunkah.
Suspect’s Family Cooperating with Authorities
Law enforcement officials have accounted for the whereabouts of Freeman’s family. His partner and children voluntarily attended a police station late Tuesday evening. Authorities have stated there is “nothing to suggest they were ever in the company of the suspect following [Tuesday’s] incident.”
Reader question: – What do you think are the biggest challenges for police officers in rural areas like Porepunkah? Share your thoughts on the role of community support in such situations.
Community Mourns Fallen Officers
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the deaths of the two officers as “heartbreaking,” emphasizing the courage and dedication demonstrated by police officers every day. The Police Association Victoria CEO, Wayne gatt, stated that the fallen officers had “paid the ultimate price for protecting the community,” noting that police stations across the state had fallen silent in mourning. Flowers were left at Wangaratta police station as a tribute to the officers.
Gatt acknowledged the ongoing danger faced by hundreds of police members actively involved in the search.He poignantly observed
