Dezi Freeman Arrested; – A manhunt is currently in progress for Dezi Freeman, 56, who is heavily armed and possesses extensive wilderness survival skills, as reported by Mike Bush, the chief commissioner of police in Victoria state.

Residents have been advised to remain indoors.

Initially, the location of Freeman’s wife and two children was unknown; however, Mr. Bush confirmed that they had visited a police station and communicated with officers late on Tuesday night.

Victoria Police have identified Detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson and senior constable Vadim De Waart as the two officers who were fatally shot on Tuesday at Freeman’s residence.

Another detective sustained injuries, but they are not life-threatening.

Ten armed officers attempted to execute a search warrant in Porepunkah, a small town with a population of just over 1,000, located 200 miles northeast of Melbourne.

The police chief stated that the officers “were confronted by the offender and were murdered in cold blood.”

The armed individual fled on foot into the adjacent forest, where a thorough search for him persisted throughout the night and into Wednesday.

Mr. Bush refrained from providing details regarding the search warrant for Freeman’s property, indicating that it was “too soon to say” whether his assault on the officers was ideologically driven.

However, he informed reporters that some of the officers involved in executing the search warrant were part of a unit that investigates sexual offenses and child abuse.

Australian media have extensively reported that Freeman has expressed beliefs associated with so-called sovereign citizen ideologies, referencing a 2021 video from Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court in which he is seen representing himself and unsuccessfully attempting to arrest a magistrate and police officers.

Individuals affiliated with self-proclaimed sovereign citizen movements employ discredited legal theories to reject governmental authority.

In a 2024 ruling from Victoria’s Supreme Court, where Freeman sought to contest a lengthy suspension of his driver’s license, a judge remarked that the man had “a history of unpleasant encounters with police officers.”

In his submissions to the court, Freeman referred to the officers involved.

In his submissions to the court, Freeman referred to the officers as “Nazis” and “terrorist thugs”.

The chief commissioner would not say how much was known of Freeman’s beliefs before the visit to his property.

Porepunkah, famous for its vineyards and beautiful views, is a gateway to Victoria’s alpine tourist region.

On Tuesday, public buildings and the nearby airfield were shut, and the local school, with just over 100 students, was locked down for several hours before children and staff were permitted to leave.

“Be vigilant, keep yourselves safe,” Mr Bush urged residents on Wednesday. “Please don’t go outside if you don’t need to.”

Mr Bush said the suspect’s knowledge of outdoor survival skills posed a “challenge” to authorities.