The families of two police officers allegedly shot dead by Dezi Freeman last year finally have answers after the fugitive managed to evade police for seven months.
He then fled into bushland, kicking off a manhunt that gripped the nation – and ended this morning.
His death brings the manhunt to an end, but the story of the Porepunkah shooting and the lives it changed forever isn’t over yet.
“It doesn’t lessen the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen or lessen the collective fear and grief that this tragic event has instilled in police and the wider public,” a Police Association Victoria spokesperson said.
The families of Thompson and De Waart-Hottart were the first to be notified that Freeman had reportedly been shot dead by police this morning.
On other occasions he tried to place a magistrate and several police officers “under arrest” in court.
Nothing could have prepared police for what unfolded on the morning of August 26.
Officers arrived at the Rayner Track property where Freeman was living to execute a search warrant on behalf of the Wangaratta Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.
Police returned fire but Freeman was able to escape on foot and was seen fleeing into the bush.
So began a manhunt for the alleged cop-killer, who managed to evade hundreds of police, specialist officers, volunteers and dogs for months.
Tensions were high the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
Roadblocks were set up on the edge of town and police worked through the night in the hopes of capturing Freeman, who was believed to be armed.
Freeman’s partner, Amalia, and children presented themselves to local police for questioning. Amalia was later arrested.
But as the New Year rolled in, he remained at large.
Updates were few and far between.
“The second [theory] is he has been able to escape the area and is being harboured by a person or people.
“And a third scenario we are exploring is that he has left the area and is on the run unassisted and he has not been located.”
Little did the rest of Australia know, Freeman was very much alive.
He was reportedly hiding out in a makeshift caravan-cross-shipping container on a rural property in Thologolong, located in Victoria’s north east.
That’s where police found and attempted to negotiate with the fugitive, sparking a three-hour standoff this morning.
Freeman emerged from the caravan bunker wrapped in a blanket and armed with a gun he had stolen from one of the slain police officers, 9News understands.
It is believed he opened fire at officers.
Police believe multiple officers opened fire at Freeman, who was fatally shot.
News of his death sent shockwaves around the country, making headlines on every news site in the nation.
It’s unclear how long Freeman had been hiding in the shipping container, and how police finally found him after so many months.
Those details will emerge in time.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said in a press conference that it’s likely other individuals aided Freeman in evading police for so long.
“I am sure some assisted him in getting away from Porepunkah to where he is located,” Bush said.
He added that anyone “complicit” in Freeman’s hiding would face charges.
Bush also suggested that the public may never know if anyone collects the $1 million reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest.
“Anything in relation to any reward or anything else about the investigation will be kept confidential,” he said.
He said today’s shooting was “justified” and the conclusion of the police operation will give closure to those affected by the Porepunkah shooting.
But for the police officers and families devastated by Freeman’s actions on August 26, this moment – though it has been a long time coming – is not the end.
“Closure isn’t the right word,” a Police Association Victoria spokesperson said earlier today.
“This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community.”
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