Australian police have shot and killed Dezi Freeman after the double-murderer spent seven months on the run. A well-known conspiracy theorist, Freeman gunned down two police officers on his property in the small Victorian town of Porepunkah last August, before fleeing into dense bushland and evading extensive searches. Victoria Police have confirmed that a man was shot dead after an hours-long standoff at a rural property in the state's north-east on Monday morning. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush expressed that the man is believed to be Freeman, 56, but formal identification is still underway.
Today an evil man is dead, said Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. It's over.
Police indicated that they surrounded a building described as a cross between a shipping container and a long caravan, from which Freeman eventually emerged after three hours, armed with a gun, and was then shot dead. Bush indicated that Freeman’s weapon might have belonged to one of the officers he killed.
According to reports, police had gone to his property in August for a routine investigation regarding sex offenses when they were met with lethal violence from Freeman. The families of the slain officers were informed first about Freeman's death, with investigations into the standoff still ongoing.
Freeman, whose real name was Desmond Filby, was a part of an anti-government movement known as “sovereign citizens,” rejecting governmental authority and laws. His extremist views reportedly intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to multiple confrontations with law enforcement.
The search for him, which included a $1 million reward, lasted for months, involving extensive searches through rocky terrains and caves. Although police believe he may have had assistance while on the run, efforts will now focus on identifying any individuals who may have helped him evade capture.
In a statement, the Police Association of Victoria described Freeman's death as a step forward, but cautioned that it does not lessen the trauma felt by officers and the community following the tragic incident. The ongoing investigation aims to ensure accountability for anyone who aided Freeman during his evasion.
Today an evil man is dead, said Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. It's over.
Police indicated that they surrounded a building described as a cross between a shipping container and a long caravan, from which Freeman eventually emerged after three hours, armed with a gun, and was then shot dead. Bush indicated that Freeman’s weapon might have belonged to one of the officers he killed.
According to reports, police had gone to his property in August for a routine investigation regarding sex offenses when they were met with lethal violence from Freeman. The families of the slain officers were informed first about Freeman's death, with investigations into the standoff still ongoing.
Freeman, whose real name was Desmond Filby, was a part of an anti-government movement known as “sovereign citizens,” rejecting governmental authority and laws. His extremist views reportedly intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to multiple confrontations with law enforcement.
The search for him, which included a $1 million reward, lasted for months, involving extensive searches through rocky terrains and caves. Although police believe he may have had assistance while on the run, efforts will now focus on identifying any individuals who may have helped him evade capture.
In a statement, the Police Association of Victoria described Freeman's death as a step forward, but cautioned that it does not lessen the trauma felt by officers and the community following the tragic incident. The ongoing investigation aims to ensure accountability for anyone who aided Freeman during his evasion.
