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Sky News

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Australian fugitive shot dead by police after seven months on the run

JacintaAllanMP

Internet Archive

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ABC Australia

Dezi Freeman killed by police in Victoria's north-east after seven-month hunt

A man, 56, who the Australian authorities believe to be Desmond Freeman, was fatally shot by police at a rural property in Thologolong, northeast Victoria, shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Monday following a several-hour-long stand-off.

A man, 56, who the Australian authorities believe to be Desmond Freeman, was fatally shot by police at a rural property in Thologolong, northeast Victoria, shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Monday following a several-hour-long stand-off.

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/two-officers-killed-in-australian-rural-shooting-manhunt-ongoing">The police had sought Freeman since Aug. 26, 2025</a>, when he allegedly shot and killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart at a Porepunkah property. A third officer was also seriously injured during the incident.

The police had sought Freeman since Aug. 26, 2025, when he allegedly shot and killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart at a Porepunkah property. A third officer was also seriously injured during the incident.

What followed was the largest police manhunt in the state's history, lasting 216 days, involving more than 450 officers, over 2,000 pieces of information, the search of over 100 properties and an AU$1 million ($685,960) bounty for information leading to his capture.

What followed was the largest police manhunt in the state's history, lasting 216 days, involving more than 450 officers, over 2,000 pieces of information, the search of over 100 properties and an AU$1 million ($685,960) bounty for information leading to his capture.

According to Victoria Police, the man believed to be Freeman — but has yet to be formally identified — was armed, with Police Commissioner Mike Bush claiming to have seen footage of the deceased "leaving the building and presenting a firearm at our officers."

According to Victoria Police, the man believed to be Freeman — but has yet to be formally identified — was armed, with Police Commissioner Mike Bush claiming to have seen footage of the deceased "leaving the building and presenting a firearm at our officers."

As a result, several police officers supposedly opened fire, killing the individual, despite receiving on-scene medical assistance. The authorities also confirmed that no one else was present at the time of the shooting, with no officers injured during the incident.

As a result, several police officers supposedly opened fire, killing the individual, despite receiving on-scene medical assistance. The authorities also confirmed that no one else was present at the time of the shooting, with no officers injured during the incident.

Bush expressed confidence in the conduct of his officers, stating they "acted appropriately" after being left with no alternative. Nevertheless, Monday's events will be subject to an independent investigation led by the state coroner, Judge Sanger, with oversight from the Professional Standards Command.

Bush expressed confidence in the conduct of his officers, stating they "acted appropriately" after being left with no alternative. Nevertheless, Monday's events will be subject to an independent investigation led by the state coroner, Judge Sanger, with oversight from the Professional Standards Command.

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The police had sought Freeman since <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/two-officers-killed-in-australian-rural-shooting-manhunt-ongoing">Aug. 26, 2025</a>, when he allegedly shot and killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart at a Porepunkah property. A third officer was also seriously injured during the incident.

Freeman picked his fate the moment he walked out armed and pointed a weapon at officers, leaving them no other choice. Up until then, every peaceful option had been exhausted, with Freeman rejecting every single one. The real story here is the irreplaceable loss of two brave Victorian officers whose sacrifice deserves to be honored above all else.

Freeman picked his fate the moment he walked out armed and pointed a weapon at officers, leaving them no other choice. Up until then, every peaceful option had been exhausted, with Freeman rejecting every single one. The real story here is the irreplaceable loss of two brave Victorian officers whose sacrifice deserves to be honored above all else.

Jacinta Allan

The shooting that took place in Thologolong on Monday necessitates multiple, urgent investigations into the decision-making of the officers and the circumstances surrounding this incident. Accountability in matters such as this is crucial, and the full picture will remain unknowable until the relevant authorities complete those independent reviews.

The shooting that took place in Thologolong on Monday necessitates multiple, urgent investigations into the decision-making of the officers and the circumstances surrounding this incident. Accountability in matters such as this is crucial, and the full picture will remain unknowable until the relevant authorities complete those independent reviews.

Alleged Cop Killer Freeman Shot Dead After 216-Day Manhunt

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Alleged Cop Killer Freeman Shot Dead After 216-Day Manhunt

Australia

Police

Crime & justice

Officers had no other choice and acted appropriately in this situation. Up until then, every peaceful option had been exhausted, with Freeman rejecting every single one. The real story here is the irreplaceable loss of two brave Victorian officers whose sacrifice deserves to be honored above all else.

Officers had no other choice and acted appropriately in this situation. Up until then, every peaceful option had been exhausted, with Freeman rejecting every single one. The real story here is the irreplaceable loss of two brave Victorian officers whose sacrifice deserves to be honored above all else.

Alleged Cop Killer Freeman Shot Dead After 216-Day Manhunt

Alleged Cop Killer Freeman Shot Dead After 216-Day Manhunt

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Alleged Cop Killer Freeman Shot Dead After 216-Day Manhunt

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