Fugitive Dezi Freeman Fatally Shot by Police, Ending Seven-Month Manhunt

A seven-month manhunt for Dezi Freeman, the fugitive wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of two Victoria Police officers, concluded on Monday, March 30, 2026, when he was fatally shot by specialist police at a remote property in Thologolong, Victoria.

The Initial Incident

On August 26, 2025, a team of ten police officers, including members of a child abuse squad, attended a property on Rayner Track in Porepunkah, Victoria, to execute a search warrant. The warrant was related to an investigation into alleged historical sexual offenses, including an alleged sexual assault of a child under 16 and an attempt to involve a child in the production of child abuse material.

During this operation, the property occupant, 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, opened fire.

• Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 34, were fatally shot.
• A third officer sustained injuries. Accounts vary on the total number of officers injured, with some sources stating one other officer was injured and another reporting two others were wounded, one seriously.
• Freeman fled the scene into dense bushland, taking with him at least one police-issued firearm.

"He took with him at least one police-issued firearm as he fled into the bush."

The Manhunt and Discovery

The ensuing search, codenamed Taskforce Summit, was described as one of the largest and most resource-intensive police operations in Victoria's history. It involved hundreds of officers from all Australian states and territories, as well as New Zealand. A $1 million reward was offered for information leading to Freeman's arrest.

Initial searches focused on the Mount Buffalo National Park. Police considered several possibilities, including that Freeman may have died by suicide, was being harbored by supporters, or had left the region. In February, police indicated they believed Freeman might be dead after an extensive search yielded no signs of life.

A tip-off received by investigators led them to a remote 35-hectare property on Murray River Road in Thologolong, near the Victoria-New South Wales border—over 150 kilometers from Porepunkah. Owners of the property, Richard Sutherland and his brother Neil, stated they were unaware Freeman was on the land. The property had been vacant since Christmas after Sutherland moved to Tasmania.

The Fatal Confrontation

Police conducted surveillance on the property for more than 24 hours. Freeman was found living in a rudimentary camp consisting of shipping containers and portable structures. The site lacked running water and electricity.

On Monday, March 30, at approximately 5:30 AM, the Special Operations Group (SOG) surrounded the site.

• An eight-person SOG team, comprising ground troops with semi-automatic weapons (including heavy-calibre rifles) and snipers with specialist long-range rifles, moved into positions with a line of sight to the camp.
• An additional sniper was positioned on an external platform of a police helicopter.
• A police negotiator contacted Freeman inside a container, ordering him to surrender and assuring his safety if he complied. This negotiation lasted over three hours.
• Police deployed non-lethal methods, including baton rounds and tear gas. An armored BearCat vehicle was used to breach the container.

"Freeman emerged from the container, wrapped in a blanket or doona."

Freeman emerged from the container, wrapped in a blanket or doona. Police reported that he presented a firearm, confirmed to be a Victoria Police-issued 15-shot Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol stolen from one of the officers killed in Porepunkah.

Ground troops and snipers returned fire. Reports indicate Freeman was struck over 20 times. An SOG dog was also deployed during the operation. The firearm used by Freeman was found several meters from his body. Up to eight SOG officers discharged their weapons. No police officers were injured. The incident was recorded by body-worn cameras and the Victoria Police Air Wing.

Identification and Official Statements

Police formally identified the deceased as Dezi Freeman on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, following forensic testing. Freeman had changed his surname from Filby.

• Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that the shooting was deemed justified based on video evidence. He said Freeman was "given every opportunity to resolve [the situation] peacefully" but chose not to comply.
• Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan commented, "Today an evil man is dead and it's over, and it's good that this individual is no longer a threat to the Victorian community."

The Investigation and Aftermath

The investigation is ongoing, focusing on several key areas.

Police are investigating whether Freeman received assistance to evade capture for 216 days. A tip-off from a person believed to be connected to Freeman’s inner circle was instrumental in locating him. Chief Commissioner Bush stated it would have been very difficult for Freeman to reach his final location without help.

Arrests: Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the investigation.

• Two individuals (a man and a woman, associates of Freeman) were arrested on April 4 but later released without charge.
• Two men, aged 48 and 45, were also arrested as part of Taskforce Summit but were released pending further inquiries.
• In a later development, a 64-year-old man from Lucyvale, Victoria, was arrested on suspicion of harboring Freeman. A 47-year-old man from Wombeyan Caves, NSW, was arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants.

Evidence: Two burner phones were seized from Freeman’s encampment.

Challenges: Sources indicate that building successful prosecutions against alleged accomplices could be challenging, as phone records may prove contact but not necessarily direct assistance.

Penalties: Individuals convicted of harboring or assisting Freeman could face a custodial sentence of up to 20 years.

Charges against Freeman’s wife, Mali Freeman, and a 56-year-old man from Porepunkah for obstructing the police investigation were dropped due to insufficient evidence. A third person was questioned over attempted theft, but no charges were laid. Mali Freeman and a 15-year-old boy (Freeman’s partner and son) were briefly detained and interviewed following the initial shootings and subsequently released.

Community reactions in the Alpine towns of Bright and Porepunkah have been mixed. Some residents expressed relief, while others, particularly those sharing anti-authority views, voiced sympathy for Freeman.

Freeman’s estranged sister expressed shock and offered condolences to the families of the slain officers. His wife, Mali, issued a statement expressing sorrow for the loss of the officers' lives.

The sisters of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk, have announced their intention to sue Victoria Police. The planned lawsuit centers on the decision not to deploy specialist forces to execute the search warrant at Freeman’s home and on allegations of poor communication and neglect following their brother's death.

Victoria Police are investigating a report of trespass at the Thologolong property after a video posted by YouTubers showed the interior of the shipping container where Freeman had been hiding. The property owner is reportedly considering legal action.

A state coroner will lead a full inquest into the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, and Dezi Freeman. The inquest will examine the circumstances of the original shooting, the seven-month manhunt, the final police confrontation, and the decision to use lethal force.

Background on Dezi Freeman

• Beliefs: Freeman was known to hold "sovereign citizen" beliefs, characterized by a rejection of state and legal authority. His anti-police sentiments were documented in online posts and videos where he referred to officers using derogatory terms.
• Survival Skills: He was an experienced bushman and part of a "prepper" group with skills in wilderness survival.
• Mental Health: In the weeks before the August shooting, Freeman’s family expressed concerns about his behavior and had arranged a mental health appointment for him, which he did not attend.