UPDATE: A manhunt is underway for Dezi Bird Freeman, the suspect in the fatal shooting of two police officers in Porepunkah, who remains heavily armed and at large as of Wednesday morning. Freeman, aged 56, fled into the bush after allegedly killing a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable, while a third officer sustained injuries but survived the attack.
The violence erupted around 10:30 AM on August 26, 2023, when sex offense detectives executed a warrant at Freeman’s property on Rayner Track. After the shooting, authorities report that Freeman is still in possession of multiple firearms, including those used in the deadly incident. “He has longarms, powerful firearms, multiple firearms,” stated Chief Commissioner Mike Bush. “We haven’t recovered any of his firearms from the scene.”
A massive manhunt is currently in effect, with police employing experts in bushcraft to navigate the rugged terrain Freeman is familiar with. “We have a very, very wide search area,” Chief Commissioner Bush emphasized during a press conference. He acknowledged that Freeman’s knowledge of the local area poses significant challenges for law enforcement.
Residents are urged to stay indoors as police establish a wide cordon around the shooting site, which remains an active crime scene. Officials have confirmed that there are no hostages involved, and Freeman’s family members had been accounted for by police later on Tuesday.
Authorities are also seeking intelligence on Freeman, who has a history of erratic behavior, including previous attempts to impersonate a volunteer firefighter. The community is in shock, as the local mayor, Sarah Nicholas, expressed deep concern over the violent events.
Residents have been warned against providing any assistance to Freeman. “Don’t support this person,” Chief Commissioner Bush urged. “He’s very dangerous. He’s killed two police officers and injured a third, and does not deserve anyone’s assistance.”
The emotional toll of this incident is palpable, and police are committed to finding Freeman. “The hunt will continue until we find him,” Bush stated. As of now, the identities of the fallen officers have not been released to allow their loved ones to be informed first.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops. Police continue to gather information and are encouraging anyone with knowledge about Freeman’s whereabouts to come forward. The urgency of this manhunt remains critical as the search intensifies.
