VICTORIA, Australia – Residents of the small alpine town of Porepunkah, about 300 kilometres from Melbourne, are facing strict lockdown measures as police search for Dezi Freeman. The 56-year-old, who calls himself a “sovereign citizen,” is accused of killing two Victoria Police officers and wounding another on Tuesday morning.
The attack, which police have described as an ambush, has shaken the close-knit community of just over 1,000 people. Schools, council buildings, and local shops have closed as officers, with help from helicopters and special units, search the thick bushland for Freeman.
Reports say the shooting happened around 10:30 AM at a remote property on Rayner Track. Dezi Freeman, who lived there with his family in a bus, allegedly fired a shotgun as police arrived with a warrant for historical sexual abuse claims.
A 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable died at the scene. Another officer was shot in the leg and was flown to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. He is now in stable condition after surgery.
Police believe Dezi Freeman grabbed weapons from the officers before disappearing into nearby bushland. As the manhunt grew, helicopters, dogs, and tactical vehicles joined the search.
Who is Dezi Freeman?
Dezi Freeman, also known as Dezi Bird Freeman and born Desmond Christopher Filby, is known locally for his anti-government views and ties to the “sovereign citizen” movement. This group rejects government authority, making arguments that Australian laws do not apply to them. Freeman changed his surname from Filby to Freeman to match his beliefs. Locals remember him as a loner with a reputation for bush skills, while others recall his past as a landscape photographer who seemed approachable years ago.
Freeman’s activism increased during the COVID-19 lockdowns. In 2021, he tried to take out a private prosecution against then-Premier Daniel Andrews for treason and fraud, which the Myrtleford Magistrates’ Court quickly threw out.
Dezi Freeman was arrested outside the court, shouting insults at the police. His court history includes a 2020 hearing where he called police “frigging Nazis” and “terrorist thugs” after a traffic incident, and a 2019 attempt to make a citizen’s arrest on a magistrate during a public land dispute.
Dezi Freeman’s statements can be found in online posts, videos, and court records, where he compares police to Nazis and speaks out against authority. On A Current Affair in 2018, he called his camera a “machine gun,” hinting at his confrontational attitude. Neighbours say Freeman lived off-grid. His property had a locked gate and often saw visits from others who seemed to share his outlook.
Tension in the Town
The search for Dezi Freeman has left Porepunkah fearful and on high alert. Residents have been asked to stay inside, and police have locked down road access. Porepunkah Primary School, which has 90 pupils, went into lockdown until all children were collected by mid-afternoon.
Alpine Shire Council shut every public building, from libraries to sports centres. At Mount Buffalo Caravan Park, guests moved to safe rooms, and officers told locals to lock everything and remove keys from their cars.
Emily, whose mother owns the caravan park, said they were safe but shaken, adding, “Stuff like this doesn’t happen here.” Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said Dezi Freeman’s bush knowledge could help him avoid capture, given the area’s caves and thick forest.
They said police would have a hard time finding him, but they also felt sorry for his family.
At first, concerns rose that Dezi Freeman’s wife, Mali and their two children might be with him against their will. However, police later confirmed the family were safe and had arrived at a station separately, having not fled with Freeman. Mali, known for teaching music and working at the local supermarket, is often called the “mother of Myrtleford” because of her helpful nature.
The incident has put fresh focus on the “sovereign citizen” movement in Australia. According to a 2022 briefing from the Australian Federal Police, these groups are usually not violent but can become dangerous, especially when trust in authorities falls, as happened during the pandemic.
Police Intensify Search
Speaking on ABC’s 7.30, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called these ideas “a real concern,” referring to an incident in Queensland in 2022 where sovereign citizens killed two officers. He said the head of ASIO had warned of far-right threats and stressed the need to watch these movements closely.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan paid tribute to the police who died, saying: “They gave their lives serving the state. Their families are now going through something no one should face.” She asked people to follow police guidance, keep away from the area, and said every possible resource was focused on catching Dezi Freeman.
The search has continued through cold and wet weather, leaving the town grieving. Mayor Sarah Nicholas praised the fallen officers and said, “We’re all feeling this loss, and we’ll keep looking out for each other.” People have left flowers outside Wangaratta Police Station to express their sorrow.
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush described Freeman as “heavily armed” with several powerful guns and warned the public not to go near him or offer him help. He said Freeman remains highly dangerous, especially with his survival skills.
Police have set up a command post in the area and put a wide cordon in place, although there have been no confirmed sightings since he ran.
As the manhunt enters a second day, Porepunkah’s residents live with worry and hope for a quick end to the ordeal. The country follows closely, sharing in the grief for the officers lost and hoping justice is done.
