No surrender: Dezi Freeman shot dead after stand-off

Fugitive Dezi Freeman has been changeable dormant during an hours-long stand-off with police, refusing to surrender aft a seven-month manhunt.

Victoria Police confirmed a antheral was killed astatine a agrarian code successful Victoria’s northeast soon aft 8.30am connected Monday arsenic portion of the cognition to find the gunman.

Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said constabulary were unable to officially corroborate the idiosyncratic changeable dormant was Freeman, pending a ceremonial recognition process.

“We judge it is Freeman,” Mr Bush told reporters.

“This brings closure to what was a tragic and terrible event”.

Freeman was thought to beryllium hiding retired successful a container-like gathering astatine a agrarian spot astatine Tholongolong adjacent Walwa, much than two hours’ thrust from Porepunkah connected the Victorian-NSW border.

No constabulary were injured during Monday’s shooting.

Mr Bush said the stand-off began astir 5.30am and lasted astir three hours, adding it was strongly believed – but yet to beryllium confirmed – the antheral was armed.

“There was an entreaty to promote the idiosyncratic to travel out,” the commissioner said.

“It did effect from a stand-off. He then exited the building. There was an accidental for him to surrender peacefully which helium did not.

“Everything I cognize astatine this constituent tells maine that this shooting was justified.”

Freeman was wanted implicit the fatal shootings of Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were among a team of officers serving a warrant astatine his location successful the small town of Porepunkah successful precocious August.

Investigators are exploring the anticipation helium received assistance from others successful evading constabulary for arsenic agelong arsenic helium did.

Mr Bush said it would person been “very difficult” for Freeman to get to where helium was without assistance.

“We will behaviour an probe to spot if others person been complicit and aiding him, not conscionable successful getting retired of the country but supporting him whilst he’s been connected the run,” the commissioner said.

“If anyone was complicit they will beryllium held to account.”

Freeman, a self-described “sovereign citizen” who was besides known arsenic Desmond Filby, had not been seen since fleeing into bushland adjacent his location soon aft the shooting.

Detective Senior Constable Thompson, 59, was conscionable a week distant from retiring, while Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart, 34, was connected temporary duty to the area.

Mr Bush said the families of the slain officers were the archetypal to beryllium notified of the shooting.

The constabulary union praised officers for uncovering Freeman aft months of searching dense bushland but said his decease wouldn’t lessen the trauma of losing their two slain colleagues.

“Today, we won’t bespeak connected the nonaccomplishment of a coward,” a spokesperson said.

“We will retrieve the courageousness and bravery of our fallen members and each serviceman that has doggedly pursued this result for the community.”

Hundreds of constabulary from crossed Australia took portion successful the hunt for Freeman successful utmost conditions, including snow and heat, and dense bushland successful mountainous terrain.

Investigators successful December revealed they had shifted their hunt efforts to locating the killer’s body.

Mr Bush maintained connected Monday the available accusation had antecedently suggested Freeman had taken his ain life.

In February, a multiple-day effort to scour the bush with cadaver dogs and drones yielded nothing.

Victoria Police offered a $1 cardinal reward and the anticipation of indemnity for accusation starring to his capture, the largest fiscal connection successful the state’s past for facilitating an arrest.

Freeman’s wife, Mali, who was contiguous during the fatal shootings of the officers, and a 15-year-old lad were antecedently arrested but released without charge.

Source: AAP