On the morning of August 26, 2025, the quiet rural town of Porepunkah, located approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne in Victoria’s alpine region, was thrust into the national spotlight following a tragic and violent incident. Dezi Freeman, a 56-year-old local man and self-proclaimed “sovereign citizen,” allegedly shot and killed two Victoria Police officers and seriously injured a third while they were executing a search warrant at a property on Rayner Track. The incident has sparked widespread shock, grief, and a massive manhunt, with Freeman still at large as of August 27, 2025.
The Fatal Shooting in Porepunkah
The tragic sequence of events unfolded just after 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, when ten Victoria Police officers arrived at a semi-rural property in Porepunkah to execute a search warrant related to a firearms prohibition order and alleged historical sex offenses involving Dezi Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby. The property, described by neighbors as a compound where Freeman lived with his wife and two children in a bus, was situated at the end of a dirt track near the foot of Mount Buffalo National Park.
According to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, the officers were met with gunfire in what has been described as an ambush attack. Two officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, aged 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, aged 35, were fatally shot. A third officer sustained serious injuries to the lower body and was airlifted to Melbourne, where he underwent surgery and remains in stable condition.
Reports indicate that Freeman, who is believed to be heavily armed, fled into the dense bushland surrounding the property immediately after the shooting, possibly taking the sidearms of the fallen officers with him. The attack has been described as cold-blooded, with Chief Commissioner Bush stating, “They were met by the offender, and they were murdered in cold blood.”
The scale of the operation—ten officers attending the warrant—underscored the gravity of the situation, suggesting police were aware of Freeman’s potential for volatility. Local residents reported hearing two or three gunshots between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, initially mistaking them for deer hunters, a common occurrence in the area. However, the realization that the sounds were linked to a deadly confrontation sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of approximately 1,000 residents.
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As news of the shooting spread, Porepunkah was placed under lockdown, with residents urged to stay indoors and avoid traveling to the area. Porepunkah Primary School, attended by around 90 students, was locked down until the afternoon, when students were safely sent home.
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Emergency services, including over 300 police, ambulance, and State Emergency Service (SES) personnel, swarmed the area, supported by the Special Operations Group, Critical Incident Response Team, Armed Crime Squad, Fugitive Squad, and air wing units. The closure of Mount Buffalo National Park further highlighted the seriousness of the situation, as authorities feared Freeman’s knowledge of the rugged terrain could prolong his evasion.
Dezi Freeman’s Background and Sovereign Citizen Ideology
Dezi Freeman, the alleged gunman, is a 56-year-old man with a well-documented history of conflict with law enforcement and a deep-seated association with the “sovereign citizen” movement. Sovereign citizens are individuals who reject the legitimacy of government authority, often using pseudolegal arguments to challenge laws, regulations, and law enforcement actions. Freeman’s prior interactions with police and the legal system reveal a pattern of hostility and defiance, culminating in the devastating events of August 26.
Court records show that Freeman, previously known as Desmond Filby, had multiple run-ins with the law, including a 2020 incident where he was convicted of using a mobile phone while driving and refusing to provide a saliva sample to police on the Great Alpine Road. During this encounter, Freeman filmed police officers, called them “frigging Nazis,” “Gestapo,” and “terrorist thugs,” and claimed they wore “satanic” symbols on their uniforms.
He attempted to take a police officer and the County Court of Victoria to the Supreme Court in November 2024 to contest driving offenses, including speeding and refusing a drug test, showcasing his belief that legal authorities held no jurisdiction over him. In another notable incident, Freeman attempted to “arrest” a magistrate and several police officers during an appearance at Wangaratta Magistrates Court, further illustrating his adherence to sovereign citizen ideology.
He was arrested in 2021 at an anti-government protest, and in a 2018 interview with A Current Affair, reporter Marty King described Freeman as “obsessive,” noting that he spoke at length about his grievances with police. Freeman claimed he had been harassed by law enforcement for a decade and described a difficult childhood, though he stated he had overcome disadvantage.
Neighbors in Porepunkah described Freeman as a reclusive yet physically imposing figure, likening him to a “Rambo” character due to his strength, fitness, and survival skills. His familiarity with the alpine bushland, including natural caves and abandoned tunnels near Mount Buffalo, has raised concerns that he could evade capture for weeks.
Chief Commissioner Bush acknowledged Freeman’s bushcraft expertise, stating, “He understands bushcraft well, which provides a challenge for us.” A survival expert echoed this sentiment, warning that Freeman’s knowledge of the rugged terrain could allow him to survive in the wilderness for an extended period.
Freeman’s sovereign citizen beliefs have drawn comparisons to a 2022 incident in Wieambilla, Queensland, where two police officers and a neighbor were killed by individuals associated with similar anti-government ideologies. His vocal disdain for police, coupled with his access to “multiple, powerful firearms,” has heightened fears about the ongoing threat he poses while at large.
Police Response and Community Impact
The manhunt for Dezi Freeman has mobilized an unprecedented law enforcement response, with hundreds of officers, helicopters, and armored vehicles combing the dense alpine bushland around Porepunkah. The operation, described as a needle-in-a-haystack effort, is complicated by wet, cold, and windy conditions, as well as the near-impenetrable terrain of the Australian Alps.
Chief Commissioner Bush emphasized that police are “pouring every resource” into the search, supported by local knowledge and expert teams. Roadblocks have been established in and out of Porepunkah, preventing some residents from returning home, and prominent buildings across Melbourne and greater Victoria have been lit up blue in tribute to the fallen officers.
The two officers killed, Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart, were remembered for their bravery and dedication. Thompson, a 59-year-old detective nearing retirement, was described as an avid traveler on secondment in regional Victoria. De Waart, a 35-year-old senior constable, was also praised for his courage.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the deaths “shocking” and “heartbreaking,” noting that “policing comes with danger, and every day our police officers meet that danger with enormous courage and dedication.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid his respects, highlighting the “very real” threat posed by sovereign citizen ideology.
The Porepunkah community, known for its tight-knit and supportive nature, has been left reeling. Porepunkah Primary School principal Jill Gillies described the incident’s toll on the community, stating, “We are a tight-knit community, and things that do happen do take their toll, but we do rally around each other.” Local federal MP Helen Haines echoed this sentiment, noting that the tragedy has shaken not only Porepunkah but communities across Australia. The lockdown and ongoing police presence have created a surreal atmosphere, with residents anxious as the search for Freeman continues.
Police have confirmed that Freeman’s partner and children are safe, attending a police station on the evening of August 26, refuting earlier reports that they may have been taken hostage. However, questions remain about whether Freeman took the fallen officers’ weapons, with investigations ongoing. Chief Commissioner Bush urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to emergency services, emphasizing the need to prioritize safety until Freeman is apprehended.
The Porepunkah shooting has reignited discussions about the dangers of sovereign citizen ideology and the risks faced by police officers in the line of duty. The Police Association of Victoria secretary, Wayne Gatt, described the officers’ deaths as the “ultimate price” paid in service to the community. As the manhunt enters its second day, the nation watches closely, hoping for a resolution that brings justice for the fallen officers and safety for the Porepunkah community.