Australian authorities have concluded a dramatic seven-month manhunt with the fatal shooting of a suspect believed to be responsible for the killing of two police officers and serious injury of a third. The incident culminated Monday in a remote forest region northeast of Melbourne, Victoria.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed that tactical officers engaged in a three-hour standoff with the suspect near Thologolong, approximately two hours north of Porepunkah where the original shootings occurred last August. Heavily armed Special Operations Group personnel attempted to negotiate surrender before ultimately shooting the individual.
The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, had evaded capture since allegedly opening fire on officers attempting to serve a warrant at his property on August 26, 2022. Freeman was reported to possess wilderness survival skills and held sovereign citizen beliefs, with authorities previously suspecting he might have taken his own life during the extensive search operation.
Formal identification procedures, including fingerprint analysis, are underway and may require up to 48 hours for completion. Commissioner Bush emphasized that police priority was peaceful resolution but acknowledged strong belief that the suspect remained armed during the confrontation. Authorities continue to investigate whether Freeman received assistance in evading capture throughout the seven-month period, having previously offered a AU$1 million reward for information leading to his apprehension.