Dezi Freeman shooting live updates: Victoria police give update on Australian fugitive shot dead after months-long manhunt | Porepunkah shooting
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Bush did not confirm the location of the attack, but there are reports that it happened at Walwa, northeast of Porepunkah, near the New South Wales border.
There were reports that Freeman was hiding in a shipping container when he was discovered by police. Bush says:
A structure that looked very much like a container, but it was not a container.
I would describe it as a cross between a container and a very long caravan.
Commissioner says Dezi Freeman refused to surrender peacefully before being fatally shot
When asked if there was a “conflict” or a conversation with Freeman, Bush said:
I can say that there was a call to encourage the person to go out.
We are examining the sequence of events and will be able to report on it, but This was the result of a stalemate, the application of tactics. He then left the building. There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, but he didn’t…
Although it has not yet been confirmed, we strongly believe he is armed.
The Chief Superintendent is asked what the police’s latest update on the matter is. Dezi Freeman He stated that they believed Freeman was dead. The question is whether this is a true belief or a tactic.
Bush’s response is as follows:
That’s a very good question because, you know, we have to follow every avenue of the investigation and there were a lot of things that suggested that Freeman took his own life. But I can stand here and tell you that our investigators – that’s why they’re professionals – keep their minds open to every possible outcome and follow every possible lead.
He doesn’t detail what led them to Freeman this morning.
Bush said that if the official process confirmed that the dead man was Freeman, it would “put an end to a tragic and terrible situation.”
He commends the officers of the jurisdictions who worked on the hunt for Freeman and the people of Porepunkah and surrounding areas.
Commissioner says operation to find Freeman completed
Bush said the seven-month operation to find Freeman was completed this morning.
Bush says today he believes the man’s shooting was justified:
The operation was carried out by our professionals, Special Operations Group members and Task Force Summit investigators.
Although there is a Professional Standards Command, there will be a coroner’s hearing on this matter. Everything I know at this point tells me this attack is justified.
As I said, the operation was carried out by professionals from Victoria Police. The first to be informed of the outcome of this operation were the families of the police officers who were tragically killed on August 26 and all members who participated in the operation that day.
Victoria police commissioner speaks in Melbourne
chief commissioner Mike Bush Now he’s talking about this morning’s police shooting.
Bush says:
I can confirm this morning that Victoria Police fatally shot a man as a result of an operation in north-east Victoria and two police officers were shot dead as a result of the operation.
Although this person has been reported as Dezi Freeman, we need to go through a very formal identification process so Victoria Police will not confirm the identity of that person at this stage until this process has been initiated.
Summary of the circumstances surrounding Freeman’s capture
The officers who were shot were part of a group of 10 officers, including local officers and members of the sexual offenses and child exploitation investigation team, who entered Freeman’s Porepunkah property in rural Victoria, about 300km northeast of Melbourne, on a Tuesday morning in August to serve a search warrant. Fire was then allegedly opened by Freeman.
Freeman, 56, who has a history with pseudo-legal or “sovereign citizen” ideology, allegedly fled into the woods with heavy weapons after a seven-month manhunt.
Benita Kolovos
Scott Brandon, owner of Bright Brewery, a few kilometers from Porepunkah, told ABC Radio Melbourne this morning that locals felt a “huge sense of relief” after the discovery. Dezi Freeman. He told the landlord Raf Epstein:
If this news is true, I think the resolution of this chapter will be a great relief for us. This is definitely something that has been on our minds for a few months now.
Brandon said there was a “major impact” on tourism in the area as initial search operations continued, which “caused great fear in the community”:
Things have pretty much returned to normal since then… but it’s definitely something that gets discussed from time to time. When you have an unresolved case like this where someone is clearly still wanted, this will continue to come up. And I think it’s a relief to put an end to all of this.
Independent federal MP Helen HainesThe constituency in Indi, which covers Porepunkah and much of the surrounding high country, issued a statement this morning following news that Freeman had been shot dead.
Haines said:
A dark cloud has hung over the Porepunkah community for the past six months.
This morning’s news of Mr. Freeman’s death brought an end to this protracted and devastating event.
This will bring relief to the entire community, especially the families of the Detective Leading Senior Constable. neal thompson and Senior Officer Vadim De Waartand colleagues.
I thank Victoria Police and everyone involved in the search for their commitment and service.
Benita Kolovos
Victoria attorney general speaks to Porepunkah community in ‘thoughts, concerns and support’
Victoria’s attorney general Sonya KilkennyHe was holding a press conference in Melbourne when news emerged that Freeman had been shot by police. He said:
This is an evolving situation and I understand, of course, that Victoria Police made a statement a few minutes ago. I think what really matters is that our thoughts, concerns and support are with the Porepunkah community and the families of the two police officers who were killed in this tragic incident nearly six months ago.
Police Union confirms Freeman shot by officers
Benita Kolovos
Wayne GattThe Police Union Victoria secretary has issued a statement confirming that the man who had just been fatally shot has been killed. Dezi Freeman.
He said:
Our members said they would find him. They did.
Close is not the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, the families of our deceased members, and the community. It does not reduce the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen, or reduce the collective fear and grief that this tragic event has instilled in the police and the wider public.
Gatt said police officers “will not dwell on the loss of a coward.” Instead, he said they would spend the day remembering “the bravery and bravery of our passionate members and every officer who doggedly pursued this outcome for the community.”
Gatt’s statement continued as follows:
They worked tirelessly. During the emergency, the operation that followed, and the months that followed, members across the state devoted themselves to this unique pursuit. Days like today are a reminder that policing happens while you sleep, media interest in an investigation wanes and all seems lost and forgotten.
RIP Vadim And Neil. We remember you today.
Welcome
Good morning. Welcome to our live broadcast today following the news that the police shot and killed the fugitive. Dezi Freeman in northeast Victoria this morning.
Police had been searching for Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, since August 26 when he allegedly shot and killed Det Leading Sen Const Neal Thompson, 59, and Sen Const Vadim De Waart, 35, and injured a third officer at a property in the small town of Porepunkah in Victoria’s high country.
We expect to hear from the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner shortly Mike Bush with more details about the incident.
