Two bangs heard near search area during manhunt for alleged cop killer

Here’s what we know as of 4pm Thursday:

• The search for fugitive gunman Dezi Freeman (previously known as Desmond Filby) continues. There have been no confirmed sightings of the alleged cop killer since he fled into bushland near Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne on Tuesday morning.
• Two loud bangs were heard near the search zone about 3pm Thursday. Smoke was seen coming from a shed near the Rayner Track property where Freeman allegedly shot dead the two officers two days earlier.
• Heavily-armed officers searched several properties and nearby bushland in Porepunkah on Thursday as the manhunt ramped up.
• Police issued a direct message to the fugitive gunman. ‘Ring 000 and we will provide a surrender plan,’ Brett Supt Kahan said. ‘That option is open to him, absolutely.’
• It’s been revealed that 10 officers attended the property on Tuesday execute a search warrant and to speak with Freeman about alleged sexual offences against a child under the age of 16.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led the outpouring of tributes for Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, who were shot dead while attempting to serve the warrant at Freeman’s property. A third officer was shot in the thigh and remains in hospital after undergoing surgery.
• Porepunkah residents have been urged to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel as the manhunt continues.

Two loud bangs were heard near the scene of the ongoing police manhunt for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah.

The bangs were heard near the search zone about 3pm Thursday.

Smoke was seen coming from a shed near the Rayner Track property where Freeman allegedly shot dead two police officers and wounded another on Tuesday.

A police helicopter is circling the bushland where the smoke was spotted.

Our reporter at the scene Wayne Flower also says that police have blocked the road.

Victoria Police has sent new text messages to people in the Porepunkah area, warning them to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel.

‘Specialist police continue to search for Desmond Freeman (Filby) who is armed and dangerous. If you see Desmond, call 000 immediately but do not approach him,’ the text read.

Police have issued a direct message to Dezi Freeman as the ongoing manhunt for alleged cop killer continues.

Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Russell Barrett and Superintendent Brett Kahan confirmed several properties in Porepunkah were searched on Thursday morning in the hunt for Freeman, who’s now been on the run for 48 hours.

Police were tight-lipped on specific details of the operation and are no closer to finding Freeman with no confirmed sightings.

They vowed to continue the search until he’s found, despite the challenging terrain and bad weather.

‘That’s our purpose, and we will not rest until it occurs,’ Deputy Commissioner Barrett said.

‘As a long-serving police member, this is one of the most difficult matters that I’ve dealt with and one of the most difficult matters in Victoria Police’s history.’

He wouldn’t comment on whether police believe if Freeman is still alive.

But the Deputy did confirm that Freeman’s wife is cooperating with police and hopes the manhunt will end safely.

‘I hope for the arrest of Desi Freeman and bring him to justice for our members. That’s what I hope,’ Deputy Commissioner Barrett said.

Police also had a direct message for Freeman in case he was watching.

‘Ring 000 and we will provide a surrender plan,’ Supt Kahan said.

‘That option is open to him, absolutely.’

Heavily armed police have descended on a Mount Buffalo Road property during the manhunt for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman.

Officers from the Critical Incident Response Team surrounded the rural property with their guns drawn while scouring nearby bushland.

Accompanied by police dogs, officers also inspected a caravan and shed on the property.

Concerned neighbours were also seen speaking to police at the scene.

A roadblock near Rayner Track, the scene of Tuesday’s deadly shooting has been reinstated.

Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Russell Barrett and Superintendent Brett Kahan are due to give an update on the police operation at 2pm.

Police vehicles and paramedics have been seen leaving the search zone in Porepunkah, suggesting search efforts near the property may be wrapping up.

Our reporter at the scene Wayne Flower said the convoy, including two heavily-armoured Bearcat vehicles and three ambulance vehicles, were seen leaving the blockaded area shortly before 5.30pm.

Inclement weather has descended over the search zone, but the roadblock remains in place.

It comes more than two hours since two loud bangs were heard near the search zone about 3pm.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led tributes in federal parliament to the two Victoria Police officers killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were shot dead by alleged gunman Dezi Freeman while executing a search warrant at his Porepunkah property.

Albanese described the slain officers as ‘heroes’ in parliament on Thursday.

He also acknowledged the impact on the tight-knit community reeling from the tragedy as the manhunt for Freeman continues.

‘As a Parliament, as a country, we offer our deepest condolence to all whose worlds have been shattered by this horrific shooting,’ the PM told parliament.

‘Our heart goes out to everyone whose heart is breaking.

‘Right now, Victoria Police are still engaged in their search for the killer at the centre of these terrible events. This difficult and dangerous task is being carried out in very challenging conditions.

‘I understand in these raw early days, the close-knit community of Porepunkah is grappling with the sense of horror and also disbelief.

‘But right now, the most important thing for everyone in the area to do is to listen to the police, follow official advice, and keep yourselves safe.’

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the community would ‘never take for granted the courage’ the late officers had shown.

‘These men stood up, these men put on the uniform, these men, like all our police, protected our community, our police run towards danger, they confront the violent, they protect children, they keep us safe,’ she said.

Sovereign citizens have claimed that the fatal shooting of two police officers was staged.

Dezi Freeman, 56, fled into bushland after being suspected of gunning down the two officers in cold blood at a property in Porepunkah.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were shot dead while attempting to serve a search warrant.

As the police manhunt for Freeman continues, a shocking conspiracy theory is circulating among sovereign citizens.

A friend of Freeman told Daily Mail the ‘media has done enough vilification’ of the 56-year-old and should ‘not be trusted at all’.

One sovereign citizen who describes himself as a ‘full-time farm hand part-time citizen journalist’ disgracefully suggested the fatal shooting of two police officers was ‘suspicious’.

More details in the link below.

Locals have speculated that ‘sovereign citizen’ Dezi Freeman could take his own life in remote bushland in an act of ‘sweet revenge’ against police.

The extensive manhunt continues for the alleged gunman, 48 hours after Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were shot dead as officers attempted to serve a search warrant on Freeman at his property in Porepunkah, about 300km north-east of Melbourne on Tuesday morning.

Residents in the small township at the base of Mount Buffalo remain on edge as the extensive search for Freeman enters its third day.

One local speculated that if Freeman is dead, he would take revenge in knowing that police will waste extensive time and resources searching for his body.

‘If he’s (dead) in some hidey-hole, they won’t find him for months. That would be his ultimate, sweet revenge,’ he told NCA NewsWire.

‘I don’t take that personally. It’s s***ty, yeah … it’s collateral damage.

‘Life will go on. If we don’t get closure in the coming days, I guess life will return to normal.’

Mount Buffalo National Park remains closed to the public as the search for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman continues.

The fatal shootings occurred at a farm property near the foot of Mount Buffalo on Tuesday, where the alleged gunman fled into surrounding bushland and has not been seen since.

‘Mount Buffalo National Park is closed until further notice due to the ongoing Victoria Police incident at Porepunkah,’ a Parks Victoria statement read.

‘If you had plans to visit Mount Buffalo National Park, please find an alternative.

‘The thoughts of everyone at Parks Victoria are with the families of the officers and their colleagues.’

The popular tourist attraction will reopen ‘once the incident is resolved.’

‘We ask all visitors planning to visit the park to follow Victoria Police advice and avoid the area,’ the statement added.

Victoria Police sent out new text messages to people in the Porepunkah area on Thursday morning as the extensive manhunt for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman enters its third day.

‘Specialist police continue to search for Desmond Freeman (Filby), who is armed and dangerous,’ the text read.

‘Multiple police units remain in the general area of Porepunkah. 

‘If you see Desmond, call 000 immediately and do not approach him.

‘Restrict non-essential travel and remain indoors with buildings and vehicles locked where possible. Roadblocks may be in place.’

The township of Porepunkah remains a ghost town, despite the local primary school reopening for the first time since the deadly shooting.

Fresh details have emerged about why police attended Dezi Freeman’s property in Porepunkah on Tuesday morning before he allegedly opened fire and killed two officers.

Sources have revealed that police had visited the property to execute a search warrant and speak to the father-of-three about alleged sexual offences against a child under the age of 16.

It’s understood the alleged offending had occurred in the past two years.

Ten officers converged on the property, including members of the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.

Concerns about Freeman’s known possession of guns also prompted the heavy police presence.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were shot dead while officers attempted to serve the search warrant.

A third officer was wounded in the thigh. He remains in hospital after undergoing surgery.

Freeman fled into bushland afterwards and remains on the run.

Police have confirmed that there have been no sightings of Dezi Freeman since Tuesday as the extensive manhunt for the alleged gunman continues.

‘To give you an idea of the resources that we’ve deployed to the area, we’ve got Homicide Squad, Armed Crime Squad, Fugitive Squad, Special Operations Group, Critical Incident Response Team – they all remain in the Porepunkah area,’ Senior Constable Paul Hogan told ABC Radio on Thursday.

Porepunkah residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel as the search continues.

‘We’re sympathetic to the Porepunkah people,’ Constable Hogan said.

‘We know it’s not ideal for them that they need to stay indoors and be conscious of what’s around them.

‘But remember, this man is believed to be armed with firearms and we urge people not to approach him.

‘If anyone sights this man or someone they believe to be this man, we urge them do not approach him – call triple-0 immediately.’

Landmarks and monuments lit up in blue on Wednesday night in honour of the two Victoria Police officers killed in the line of duty.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were shot dead by suspected gunman Dezi Freeman at a property in Porepunkah on Tuesday.

A third officer who was shot in the thigh remains in hospital after undergoing surgery.

Melbourne CBD landmarks that paid tribute included Flinders Street Station, Melbourne Town Hall, National Gallery of Victoria, State Paliament House and Crown Melbourne.

In Canberra, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw laid a wreath at the National Police Memorial, which also lit up in blue.

Several roadblocks have been removed in Porepunkah as the manhunt for alleged police killer Dezi Freeman enters its third day.

Police and authorities will be based at nearby Feathertop Winery, where a makeshift command station was set up earlier in the week.

The search continues to be hampered by bad weather conditions.

Up to 27mm of rain and a top of 9C are forecast for the region on Thursday.

Police have confirmed that severe weather conditions have complicated travel in the area.

Similar conditions are forecast for Friday.

The local primary school will re-open on Thursday after it went into lockdown following the shooting.

Council facilities in the nearby towns of Myrtleford and Mount Beauty have also reopened.

However, council facilities in Bright and Porepunkah remain closed until further notice.

‘At this stage, facilities and public waste areas in Bright and Porepunkah are not being serviced, and this will be reviewed over the next 24 hours,’ Alpine Shire Council posted.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, have been named as the officers killed by suspected gunman Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah on Tuesday.

Detective Thompson, from Wangaratta CIU, was just weeks from retirement.

A keen outdoorsman, he had previously dealt with Freeman and was chosen to serve the warrant due to their rapport. He was reportedly the first to knock on the door and was allegedly ambushed.

‘Neal joined Victoria Police in September 1987,’ police said. ‘

He worked in general duties, major fraud, and state crime squads before joining Wangaratta CIU in 2007. He loved nature and had found new purpose with his partner Lisa, building a home and planning for retirement.’

Senior Constable De Waart, originally from Belgium, joined Victoria Police in 2018 and was on secondment in northeast Victoria. Fluent in four languages, he had interests in travel, public speaking, and computer graphics.

‘Vadim started at the Academy in December 2018, then worked at St Kilda before joining PORT in 2023,’ police said.

‘He was a keen traveller, gin collector, and proud homeowner. He is survived by his parents in Belgium, brother in Switzerland, and extended family in Melbourne.’

Senior Constable Vadim de Waart (top) and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (bottom).

The neighbour of suspected cop killer Dezi Freeman has broken his silence, revealing chilling threats and years of torment.

Zar Saccutelli says Freeman, a self-declared sovereign citizen, once threatened to kill his teenage son and regularly called police to harass neighbours – despite later branding officers ‘Gestapo Nazi terrorist thugs’.

• The search for fugitive gunman Dezi Freeman (also known a Desmond Filby) has entered its third day. Freeman is accused of murdering two Victoria Police officers in cold blood at a property in Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne on Tuesday morning.
• Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were shot dead while attempting to serve a search warrant to Freeman at his property. A third officer was shot in the thigh and remains in hospital after undergoing surgery.
• A heavy police presence remains in Porepunkah, a town of about 1,000 residents in Victoria’s alpine region. Locals reported hearing loud bangs resembling gunfire on Wednesday as police returned to the property where the shootings occurred.
• Freeman fled into bushland immediately after the attack. He was last seen wearing dark green tracksuit pants, a dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses. Police say he is believed to be a sovereign citizen, part of a fringe anti-government movement that rejects the rule of law.
• Bad weather and Freeman’s bush survival skills are hampering the search. Hundreds of officers are combing the rugged landscape on foot and by air.
• There have been no sightings of Freeman since he fled into the bush on Tuesday morning.
• On Tuesday night, Freeman’s partner and children presented themselves at a police station and spoke with officers.
• Up to 27mm of rain is predicted to fall today which may hamper the search.Temperatures won’t rise above 9C.
• Police have warned the public to not approach Freeman as he may be armed with mulitple firearms.
• It’s since been revealed police were at the property on Tuesday to speak to Freeman about alleged sexual offences against a child under the age of 16.