Australian Police Fatally Shoot Fugitive Dezi Freeman After Seven-Month Manhunt

Australian police have shot and killed a man believed to be Dezi Freeman, 56, following a three-hour standoff at a rural property near Thologolong in Victoria's northeast. Freeman had been on the run for seven months after allegedly killing two police officers and seriously wounding a third during an attempted warrant service near Porepunkah in August 2025.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that formal identification of the deceased is pending and could take up to 48 hours. He noted that Freeman had an opportunity to surrender peacefully but declined.

Freeman, a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen with a history of anti-government actions, had survival skills and was last seen living in the wilderness. Authorities are investigating whether he received assistance while evading arrest.

The families of the slain officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, were informed of Freeman's death. Premier Jacinta Allan remarked that while the operation is over, it will never be over for the families.