Key posts

• 7.29pm
• 7.09pmFreeman arrested previously, called police ‘scumbags’
• 6.57pm‘Strange cat’, recluse, Rambo: What locals think of Dezi Freeman
• 6.16pm‘Murdered in cold blood’: Police unveil details of shooting
• 6.06pmArresting alleged offender is number-one priority, says police chief
• 5.45pm56-year-old conspiracy theorist identified as alleged gunman
• 5.09pmWatch: Police chief commissioner reflects on tragic killings
• 5.00pmWhat we know so far

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7.29pm

Premier declines to comment on sovereign citizen movement

By Angus Delaney

Premier Jacinta Allan has declined to answer a question regarding the sovereign citizen movement, despite the alleged offender being reported as a member of the fringe society.

Journalist: ” In recent years, there’s been this emergence of this sovereign citizen movement who look at authorities, police and government as the enemy. Prior to the events of today, how concerned were you at what we’ve been seeing?”

Allan: ”I think you can appreciate I’m not going to be drawn on some observations and reflections on that matter. It is far too early, particularly when there is an offender at large, and my focus right now is both providing every support to Victoria Police.”

The premier added that she intends to speak with the family of the killed police officers at an appropriate time.

Shooting a painful reminder of police bravery, says premier

By Angus Delaney

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has expressed her deep sorrow at the killing of the two police officers in Porepunkah.

“Two Victoria Police officers have lost their lives in the service of our state. Another has been seriously injured and their families are facing the kind of grief that no family should ever have to experience,” Allan told reporters at a press conference this evening.

“Policing comes with danger and every day our police officers meet that danger with enormous courage and dedication. And this tragedy is a painful reminder of that bravery.”

Police Minster Anthony Carbines said: “We know that the police operation continues in the cold and the wet this evening in north-east Victoria, police members continue to serve and protect the community of Porepunkah and surrounds while seeking to apprehend an offender that’s at large.”

7.13pm

Watch live: Premier Jacinta Allan speaks after shooting

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan spoke to the media after two police officers were killed, allegedly by Dezi Freeman, a 56-year-old who remains on the run.

7.09pm

Freeman arrested previously, called police ‘scumbags’

By Angus Delaney

Dezi Freeman remains on the run after allegedly killing two police officers. But the 56-year-old, who was previously known to police, has expressed his hatred of officers before.

In 2021, Freeman was arrested by police at an anti-vaccine and anti-government rally outside the Myrtleford courthouse, where 250 protesters chanted for the government to be removed.

In a video of his arrest, Freeman yelled angrily as he was led away by officers.

“We have the right of self-defence against these terrorist, criminal filth,” he said.

“Everyone knows that these scumbags are butt-hurt because they’re obsessed with power.”

‘Strange cat’, recluse, Rambo: What locals think of Dezi Freeman

By Melissa Cunningham

In the town of Porepunkah, with a population of just over 1000 people, almost everyone knows Dezi Bird Freeman.

Locals say that during the coronavirus pandemic, Freeman began to behave increasingly erratically, refusing to wear face masks in shops, voicing his refusal to get vaccinated, and telling people about his distaste for government restrictions and lockdowns.

In 2021, Freeman was arrested outside an anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protest at the Myrtleford courthouse.

“He was anti everything to do with it,” one local said. “He went from being just a pretty ordinary country bloke ... a normal dude you’d see at the local footy club all the time to quite a strange bloke. He fell down a bit of a rabbit hole and sort of disappeared and went off the radar. But we could have never imagined this. I’d known him for years. Everyone is just in absolute shock. It is horrifying.”

Others described Freeman as a “strange cat” and a recluse. One said he resembled a Rambo-like figure who was “strong and fit” and known among some locals for his bush survival skills.

“He liked being away from people and out in the bush,” one local said. “The cops will have their work cut for them catching him. He’s got a beautiful family, though, so my heart breaks for them.”

Another Porepunkah resident, who operates a local shop, said Freeman often came by the store. The resident, who wanted to remain anonymous over safety concerns, described him as a quiet, reserved man, who was always polite when he came into the store.

“I saw him about four days ago when he came to pick up mail,” they said. “He seemed completely fine. He never really said much.”

The resident said Freeman’s wife, young children and teenage son also came into the store often.

His wife, who works at a local supermarket, brought in a bag of fresh oranges on Monday afternoon, to donate to locals in need of food.

“She was always bringing in fresh fruit and vegetables to donate,” the resident said. “Everyone thought she was a very nice person. She would bring in food in case anyone was in need. We would put it in a basket outside the store.”

The resident said everyone in the small town had been left shocked. The local primary school and childcare centre had been put into lockdown for most of the day, and shortly before 6pm the pub remained closed.

“The police were telling everyone to stay in their homes or in their stores,” he said. “A lot of the tourists who were staying in the local accommodation were told to leave and go to Bright.

“It has been quite scary because it is such a quiet and peaceful place. Nothing like this has ever happened here and suddenly we are seeing police everywhere and being told not to go outside.”

6.40pm

Police conducted robust risk assessment, says chief commissioner

By Angus Delaney

Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said police conducted a thorough risk assessment before executing the search warrant in accordance with standard practice.

“I can tell you that there was a risk assessment done prior to the search warrant, but I can’t go into any further details,” Bush said. “That’s very standard to do that.”

“I can tell you that we do robust risk assessments around these jobs. Our staff were armed when they went to the address, obviously.”

Bush said the fact 10 police officers had attended the address “does talk to the gravity of the situation”.

6.20pm

Gunman fled alone, police say

By Angus Delaney

Police said the alleged gunman fled into the bush alone and have not confirmed his identity reported by this masthead as Dezi Freeman.

“He was seen going into the bush alone. We don’t know exactly where his wife is at the moment or the children, and we have no information to suggest whether he is with or without them,” said Bush.

“We are still looking to locate his partner and two children but he was not seen to head into the bush with them.”

This masthead has reported that Freeman was in the company of his wife and children.

6.16pm

‘Murdered in cold blood’: Police unveil details of shooting

Chief commissioner Mike Bush said the two police officers were murdered in cold blood and revealed some details about this shooting this morning.

“What unfolded today was that 10 very dedicated police officers went to execute a search warrant at that address, and we are still debriefing the other officers that were involved,” Bush said.

“He [the alleged offender] was heavily armed and he was able to escape into the bush. I do understand that he was pursued, but he was able to get away … on foot.”

The seven officers who were not physically injured remained at the property for hours after the shooting.

Bush said Freeman, who remains on the run is “obviously a very dangerous person” and was known to police.

6.09pm

Killed officers were 59 and 35 years old

By Angus Delaney

Speaking to the media, Mike Bush said the two officers killed today were fine and brave members of the police force.

“One of those officers was a 59-year-old detective. The other officer, a 35-year-old senior constable,” Bush said.

“One of our other good officers was a detective. He has been shot and is currently in surgery, being treated. His injuries are not life-threatening.”

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