Porepunkah Manhunt Enters Fourth Day as Police Intensify Search for Dezi Freeman After Fatal Shootings

The intense manhunt for Dezi Freeman, accused of fatally shooting two police officers and injuring a third, has entered its fourth day in Victoria’s alpine region, as authorities continue a relentless search across challenging terrain near Porepunkah. As of Friday, August 29, police efforts are at full throttle, focusing on the dense bushland surrounding Mt Buffalo, an area Freeman is known to navigate with exceptional skill.

The community of Wangaratta remains in mourning, with the entrance to the local police station overflowing with flowers and tributes for Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35. Both officers were allegedly killed by Freeman on Tuesday, prompting one of the most extensive and difficult operations in Victoria Police history. A third officer, also allegedly shot, is recovering in hospital after surgery.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Russell Barrett emphasized the devastating impact of the officers’ deaths and thanked the community for its support during a press conference held on Thursday. He confirmed that “every available asset” is being deployed in the search, vowing police will not rest until Freeman is apprehended.

The search is complicated by the rugged and dangerous environment, characterized by sheer cliffs, granite tors, and old mine shafts. Poor weather conditions, including heavy rain and low cloud cover, have hampered aerial surveillance, further challenging ground teams. Police are operating on the theory that Freeman, identified as a “sovereign citizen” with deep knowledge of bushcraft, remains within the local area, potentially utilizing hidden shelters or even booby traps. Authorities have been conducting raids on local properties, though details remain scarce.

Superintendent Brett Kahan directly appealed to Freeman on Thursday, urging him to surrender. “If Dezi Freeman is watching this, ring triple zero, and we will support a surrender plan – that option is absolutely open to him,” Kahan stated.

Despite the ongoing high-stakes operation, some local businesses and the primary school have reopened, attempting to restore a semblance of normalcy while police maintain a visible presence and continue to advise against non-essential travel in the affected areas.

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