Porepunkah shooting: Two officers dead and another wounded after shooting at High Country property, Victoria, Australia

Status
Not open for further replies.
  • #461
Sovereign citizens don’t see any inconsistency in their beliefs- if he is Maori - likely an immigrant, that wouldn’t conflict with his white nationalist worldview, because their ideology isn’t based on reason. It’s fundamentally delusional (and has strong roots in incel misogonystic thinking primarily, but I digress...).

As for how his political/ideological views have anything to do with the march...Sovereign citizen ideology didn’t begin as harmless skepticism, it emerged in the U.S. among white supremacist and Christian Identity groups who rejected federal authority outright and pushed racial hierarchies as doctrine. In Australia, those anti-government, extremist beliefs found new life during Covid - melding conspiracy-fueled anti‑vaccine and anti‑lockdown sentiment with denial of legal authority. That created fertile ground for organised sovereign citizen ideas to take hold.

That context is critical in understanding the March for Australia. At first, the march’s website even openly promoted “remigration”, a far-right, white nationalist concept calling for mass expulsion of non-European peoples, before the phrase was quietly removed, showing a clear alignment with extremist ideology even if later softened.

Ok, yes that's correct, the sovereign citizen movement has roots in white supremacist ideologies from 50 - 60 years ago, but it has changed over time into a more decentralised / diverse ideology. It has become highly heterogeneous. These days, people who subscribe to it's main beliefs (rejecting federal authority, claiming exemption from laws and taxes, distrust or hatred toward police / viewing police as "agents of an illegitimate government" etc) come from many different racial / cultural / socioeconomic backgrounds. The anti government sentiments are not inherently tied to white supremacy.

Snips from link below

1756383817912.webp


1756383862704.webp


TL;DR: The movement, although completely crazy and entitled, cannot - at least for the past 30 - 40 years - be conflated with white supremacism.

As far as I'm aware currently, the march has no ties to the sovereign citizen movement.

Therefore, it makes no sense at this stage to try to tie Dezi Freeman's political beliefs to the march. Which is just, in my opinion, completely out of left field.

MOO
 
  • #462

ABC News​


Porepunkah residents anxious as manhunt for Dezi Freeman enters third day | 7.30​


 
  • #463
  • #464

Police swoop on home in Porepunkah in search for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman​

“Locals reported seeing police swoop on a property, and remove “five or six” people.

Detectives reportedly detained a number of residents near Francis St, as unmarked police cars monitored the area, the Herald Sun reported.

Police removed people from their homes along the street.

Locals reported seeing police swoop on a property, and remove “five or six” people. It is understood that property is linked to a family member of Freeman.

A voice on a loud speaker was advising people to “come out with nothing in your hands” on Chandler St.

Victoria Police had declined to comment at this stage.”




 
  • #465

Nephew of fugitive cop killer Dezi Freeman says he cut off his uncle because he was ‘too toxic’​


“Before shooting dead two police officers, Dezi Freeman had an obsession with talking about weapons and his “craziness” came to a head at a family Christmas lunch.”

Porepunkah cop killer Dezi Freeman’s obsession with guns and his hatred of police left his estranged family fearful after he joked about bringing weapons to Christmas lunch.


Paywalled



 
  • #466
  • #467
Key Event
7m ago
Police activity in Porepunkah last night, ABC understands
By Maddy Morwood

Two separate sources have confirmed to the ABC that a raid took place at a property in Chandler Court in Porepunkah last night.

The ABC understands that approximately ten police officers and multiple dogs arrived at a residential house.

There was a PA system used broadcasting instructions, asking residents to come to the front door with their hands in the air.

Victoria Police's media unit would not confirm any details of the raid or whether it was linked to the manhunt for Dezi Freeman.

 
  • #468
4m ago
'Heavy police movement' last night says ABC journalist in the area
By Andi Yu

As we try to firm up what kind of police activity occurred at an address in Porepunkah last night, ABC reporter Kimberley Price has told ABC Radio Melbourne what she saw at about 8:30pm.

"I saw quite a heavy police presence around the Porepunkah township. In particular there were quite a lot of vehicles situated around one property in the township," she said.

"Police headquarters is situated just outside the township and from that direction to the property there was quite a lot of movement of police vehicles, as well as unmarked cars... just quite heavy movement for a number of hours.

"We are awaiting confirmation from Victoria Police for the details of what exactly went down at the property last night."

 
  • #469
2m ago
What is the latest on the manhunt for Dezi Freeman?
Judd Boaz profile image
By Judd Boaz

Here is what we know:

There have been no confirmed sightings of Dezi Freeman since shootings and killing two police officers and injuring another in Porepunkah, Victoria on Tuesday.
Friends and loved ones paid tribute to the two officers who were killed during the shooting.
The 56-year-old accused gunman claims to be a sovereign citizen and wrote about dead police on Instagram prior to the shootings.
Police say he is an experienced bushman who knows the dense bushland area better than authorities.
Police warned anyone helping Dezi Freeman evade capture faces criminal charges.
He is believed to be heavily armed. Locals in Porepunkah have been told to stay inside until he is found.

 
  • #470
Key Event
7m ago
Snowy conditions expected today in Victorian alps
By Judd Boaz

Snowfall and damaging winds have been forecast in Victoria's alpine region, where the search for Dezi Freeman continues.

"One of the most widespread and significant amounts of snow that we've seen through the season so far is forecast to move in [Friday]," BOM senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

"The higher peaks could easily see over 30cm, perhaps more than that, 40cm."

Police in the region are urging the public not to travel to the snow this weekend, and to avoid Porepunkah.

 
  • #471
3m ago. 06.45 AEST

The search for gunman Dezi Freeman will enter its fourth day today, with the weather again expected to create a major hurdle for the manhunt.

Yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology released a severe weather warning that included parts of the alpine region. It also warned of snow for lower areas.

It could also bring the risk of blizzards about elevated alpine areas on Friday and early Saturday… As the strong winds combine with snow.
The Bureau said there would be snow showers in areas above 1000m, before moving lower to 600m. Porepunkah is at 280m but the slopes of Mt Buffalo rise sharply from the town with the summit at 1723m so show does seem likely to affect the manhunt.

Yesterday, the search was impacted by low cloud cover and near-constant rain. The bushland Freeman has disappeared into is thick and dangerous – filled with sheer cliffs, granite tors, and, locals say, plenty of old mine shafts.”




 
  • #472
Key Event
4m ago

Police won't confirm reported activity in Porepunkah last night​


By Andi Yu​

ABC Radio Melbourne presenter Sharnelle Vella has asked Senior Constable Paul Hogan to confirm details of any police activity in Porepunkah last night.

"Look, I know that there's been reports in the news this morning about certain things that took place in Porepunkah last night," he said.

"None of that information has been provided by Victoria Police.

"I've spoken to members on the ground and I can tell you that the update is that Desmond Freeman is still at large. That alleged offender is still outstanding.
"And once again we're urging people in and around the Porepunkah area to remain indoors wherever possible, until further notice.

"We understand the frustrations and the difficulties of the locals being asked to stay indoors for the last four days now but we don't want anyone to take any unnecessary risk. There remains a dangerous offender still at large.
"At this stage there have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman since Tuesday's tragedy, and as you can imagine there remains a huge police presence in the Porepunkah area."

 
  • #473
6.22am

New details emerged on how fatal ambush unfolded​


“Concerns have been raised about Freeman’s firearms licence, which was repeatedly removed and returned to him, as new details emerge about Tuesday’s police shooting.

Freeman allegedly blasted Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson with a home-made shotgun through the door of a bus Freeman was living in near the township of Porepunkah.

The father-of-three is said by police sources unauthorised to speak publicly to have then opened a window of the bus and shot Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, who also died at the scene on Tuesday morning.


Fallen officers Neal Thompson (left) and Vadim de Waart.

Fallen officers Neal Thompson (left) and Vadim de Waart.

Another detective wounded in the attack is understood to have hidden under the vehicle for up to an hour, until paramedics arrived.

Read Melissa Cunningham and Cameron Houston’s
full report here.”




 
  • #474
10m ago

'Do not approach him': Police warning to those in Porepunkah area​


By Andi Yu​

"We do want people to remember that we believe that this individual is armed with firearms," Senior Constable Paul Hogan has told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"Do not approach him.
"If anyone sights this man or someone they believe to be this man call triple-zero immediately."

1m ago

Senior Constable speaks of public's outpouring of support​


By Andi Yu​

Senior Constable Paul Hogan has spoke about the "morale boost" to police from the Victorian public.

He said he's seen photos of flowers and artwork from children sent to multiple police stations across the state since officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart were killed on Tuesday.

"I've seen these things from Bendigo Police Station, Woodend, St Kilda, Stawell, Geelong, St Arnaud, Hastings," he said.

"This is a morale boost for members that have gone through a pretty awful week.
"And I can tell you that the chief is aware of it as well and his office is making sure that members on the ground in Porepunkah are aware of this as well."

 
  • #475
I just followed a helicopter come from Melbourne airport and land at the Police compound at Feathertop Winery.




1756416146283.webp
 
  • #476
Fingers crossed!

Many thanks to you and MrJ for the updates.
 
  • #477
2m ago

Rain and icy blasts likely in Porepunkah today​


By Kellie Lazzaro​

Snow is falling in the Victorian Alps as an icy blast persists in the area where the manhunt enters its fourth day.

A severe weather warning is current for alpine peaks, with rain and damaging winds of up to 110 km/h forecast today.

Morgan Pumpa from the Bureau of Meteorology says it's going to rain again in the Porepunkah area today, with more than 20 millimetres possible.

"We recorded 27 millimetres [of rain] since yesterday at Mount Buffalo and during today it is going to increase in severity of our weather conditions," she says.
More than 50 centimetres of snow has fallen at Mount Hotham in this week's storm, cementing the Victorian ski season as one of the best in years.


I honestly don't think Desmond is alive IMO
 
  • #478
  • #479
5m ago

Nearby parkrun cancelled on police recommendation, organisers say​


By Andi Yu​

Organisers of a parkrun in nearby town Bright have said via Facebook their event has been cancelled.

Bright is a larger town in Victoria's alpine region, next to Porepunkah.

lcimg-8327f834-3e25-440f-9233-35086f4e32d6.jpeg


 
  • #480
Status
Not open for further replies.

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
55
Guests online
1,611
Total visitors
1,666

Forum statistics

Threads
632,332
Messages
18,624,858
Members
243,094
Latest member
Edna Welthorpe
Back
Top