“Police officers know their job is dangerous – but they do it anyway to protect us. To the families who are mourning today, know that every Australian is with you.”
Porepunkah shooting: Two officers dead and another wounded after shooting at High Country property, Victoria, Australia
- Thread starter TootsieFootsie
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- May 24, 2012
- Messages
- 15,587
- Reaction score
- 105,057
It has to be very frightening to anyone who lives near the area 
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
- Messages
- 33,176
- Reaction score
- 217,271
It has to be very frightening to anyone who lives near the area
Apparently, the police sent out this text message to all of the residents.
Manhunt continues in Victoria for suspected identified gunman as two officers killed — as it happened
Local communities have been asked to stay indoors and follow police advice as the search for the gunman continues into the night.
www.abc.net.au
Monstradamus
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2025
- Messages
- 442
- Reaction score
- 5,152
I think he's prepared, and has a hideout ready with supplies. He has lived there his whole life, so knows his way around.
- Joined
- May 24, 2012
- Messages
- 15,587
- Reaction score
- 105,057
Knowing his views, maybe he has an underground bunker somewhere in the bush.
i think thats entirely possible as well.
Even if he does, what's his end game?? Suicide by cop? If so why run in the first place?
6.57pm
Locals say during the coronavirus pandemic Freeman began to behave increasingly erratically, refusing to wear face masks in shops, voicing his refusal to get vaccinated, and telling people about his distaste for government restrictions and lockdowns.
In 2021 Dezi was arrested outside an anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protest at the Myrtleford courthouse.
“He was anti everything to do with it,” one local said. “He went from being just a pretty ordinary country bloke…. a normal dude you’d see at the local footy club all the time to quite a strange bloke. He fell down a bit of a rabbit hole and sort of disappeared and went off the radar. But we could have never imagined this. I’d know him for years, and never thought he would be capable of doing this. Everyone is just in absolute shock. It is horrifying.”
Others described Freeman as a strange cat a recluse and one said he resembled a “Rambo” like figure who was “strong and fit” and known among some locals for his bush survival skills.
“He liked being away from people and out in the bush,” one local said. “The cops will have their work cut for them catching him. He’s got a beautiful family though so my heart breaks for them.”
Another Porepunkah resident, who operates a local shop, said Freeman often came by the store. The resident, who wanted to remain anonymous over safety concerns, described him as a quiet, reserved man, who was always polite when he came into the store.
“To be honest, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would go out and kill two people,” they said.
“I saw him about four days ago when he came to pick up mail. He seemed completely fine. He never really said much.”
The resident said Freeman’s wife and young children and a teenage son also came into the store often.
His wife, who works at a local supermarket, brought in a bag of fresh oranges on Monday (yesterday) afternoon, to donate to locals in need of food.
“She was always bringing in fresh fruit and vegetables to donate,” the resident said. “Everyone thought she was a very nice person. She would bring in food in case anyone was in need. We would put it in a basket outside the store.”
The resident said everyone in the small town had been left shocked. The local primary school and childcare centre had been put into lockdown for most of the day and shortly before 6pm the pub remained closed.
“The police were telling everyone to stay in their homes or in their stores,” he said. “A lot of the tourists who were staying in the local accommodation were told to leave and go to Bright.“
“It has been quite scary because it is such a quiet and peaceful place. Nothing like this has ever happened here and suddenly we are seeing police everywhere and being told not to go outside.”
www.theage.com.au
Strange cat, recluse, Rambo: What locals thought of Dezi Freeman
By
In the town of Porepunkah, with a population of just over 1000 people, almost everyone knows Dezi Bird Freeman.Locals say during the coronavirus pandemic Freeman began to behave increasingly erratically, refusing to wear face masks in shops, voicing his refusal to get vaccinated, and telling people about his distaste for government restrictions and lockdowns.
In 2021 Dezi was arrested outside an anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protest at the Myrtleford courthouse.
“He was anti everything to do with it,” one local said. “He went from being just a pretty ordinary country bloke…. a normal dude you’d see at the local footy club all the time to quite a strange bloke. He fell down a bit of a rabbit hole and sort of disappeared and went off the radar. But we could have never imagined this. I’d know him for years, and never thought he would be capable of doing this. Everyone is just in absolute shock. It is horrifying.”
Others described Freeman as a strange cat a recluse and one said he resembled a “Rambo” like figure who was “strong and fit” and known among some locals for his bush survival skills.
“He liked being away from people and out in the bush,” one local said. “The cops will have their work cut for them catching him. He’s got a beautiful family though so my heart breaks for them.”
Another Porepunkah resident, who operates a local shop, said Freeman often came by the store. The resident, who wanted to remain anonymous over safety concerns, described him as a quiet, reserved man, who was always polite when he came into the store.
“To be honest, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would go out and kill two people,” they said.
“I saw him about four days ago when he came to pick up mail. He seemed completely fine. He never really said much.”
The resident said Freeman’s wife and young children and a teenage son also came into the store often.
His wife, who works at a local supermarket, brought in a bag of fresh oranges on Monday (yesterday) afternoon, to donate to locals in need of food.
“She was always bringing in fresh fruit and vegetables to donate,” the resident said. “Everyone thought she was a very nice person. She would bring in food in case anyone was in need. We would put it in a basket outside the store.”
The resident said everyone in the small town had been left shocked. The local primary school and childcare centre had been put into lockdown for most of the day and shortly before 6pm the pub remained closed.
“The police were telling everyone to stay in their homes or in their stores,” he said. “A lot of the tourists who were staying in the local accommodation were told to leave and go to Bright.“
“It has been quite scary because it is such a quiet and peaceful place. Nothing like this has ever happened here and suddenly we are seeing police everywhere and being told not to go outside.”
Porepunkah shooting as it happened: Two Victoria Police officers shot dead and one injured after ambush in High Country
Two officers are dead and another wounded after a shooting at a rural property in Porepunkah, about 300 kilometres north-east of Melbourne.
- Joined
- May 24, 2012
- Messages
- 15,587
- Reaction score
- 105,057
Maybe he ran because he wants to, in his opinion, make a stand.
He thinks he's fighting a war so it makes sense that he's not going to just stay there and give up and let them shoot him.
He's a brave man in his own mind.
He thinks he's fighting a war so it makes sense that he's not going to just stay there and give up and let them shoot him.
He's a brave man in his own mind.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
- Messages
- 33,176
- Reaction score
- 217,271
ABC have published his photo. If anyone wants to see it, it is in this link. Published in their update of 42 min ago.
www.abc.net.au
Manhunt continues in Victoria for suspected identified gunman as two officers killed — as it happened
Local communities have been asked to stay indoors and follow police advice as the search for the gunman continues into the night.
www.abc.net.au
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2021
- Messages
- 1,362
- Reaction score
- 15,542
5m ago
We'll bring you the updates as they come.
www.abc.net.au
Victorian Premier to speak shortly
By Madi Chwasta
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is set to address media about 7:15pm.We'll bring you the updates as they come.
Manhunt continues in Victoria for suspected identified gunman as two officers killed — as it happened
Local communities have been asked to stay indoors and follow police advice as the search for the gunman continues into the night.
www.abc.net.au
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2021
- Messages
- 1,362
- Reaction score
- 15,542
Officer deaths are ‘shocking’ and ‘heartbreaking’. Thoughts are with Porepunkah community.
basic summary of the presser Live: Police speak on search after two officers killed as suspected gunman identified
basic summary of the presser Live: Police speak on search after two officers killed as suspected gunman identified
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2021
- Messages
- 1,362
- Reaction score
- 15,542
Key Event
4m ago
"I think it's important to remember, as I'm sure we do, there are families who are grieving," she says.
"There are family members who still need to have this just so deeply heartbreaking news broken to them, and they deserve the dignity of being supported when they hear that news in the appropriate way.
"It's also important to remember that this continues to be an active crime scene."
Police previously confirmed a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable were killed.
Key Event
3m ago
"Clearly every resource is being deployed to apprehend this offender," she says.
"This offender will be found. He will be dealt with."
www.abc.net.au
4m ago
Identities of killed officers not yet being released
By Madi Chwasta
Premier Jacinta Allan says the identities of the police officers who were fatally shot will not yet be made public."I think it's important to remember, as I'm sure we do, there are families who are grieving," she says.
"There are family members who still need to have this just so deeply heartbreaking news broken to them, and they deserve the dignity of being supported when they hear that news in the appropriate way.
"It's also important to remember that this continues to be an active crime scene."
Police previously confirmed a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable were killed.
Key Event
3m ago
'This offender will be found,' Victorian Premier says
By Madi Chwasta
Premier Allan says police will work into the night to find the suspected gunman."Clearly every resource is being deployed to apprehend this offender," she says.
"This offender will be found. He will be dealt with."
Manhunt continues in Victoria for suspected identified gunman as two officers killed — as it happened
Local communities have been asked to stay indoors and follow police advice as the search for the gunman continues into the night.
www.abc.net.au
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2021
- Messages
- 1,362
- Reaction score
- 15,542
yeah must’ve been a tough situation. Not trying to speculate too much just surprised. But an armed offender is extremely dangerous
Like a little community’: Where the officers were killed
By
A man who lived next door to the property, but who asked not to be identified, said he didn’t know Freeman or many others who seemed to frequent the isolated land that overlooked his own property.“I didn’t know the bloke who did the shooting, I didn’t know his name,” he said.
“But there’s a lot of people living up there, it’s like a little community. You see a lot of cars driving in and out.
“They’ve got a huge gate there. You couldn’t get in, it’s like a bloody prison gate and I think it’s got a keypad on it to get in.“
While he had not noticed police attend the property previously, the neighbour said he was stunned when police began swarming the area yesterday.
“I just can’t understand why the bloke who owns it would let people like that live on his property,” he said.
“I only met the bloke who owns the place once, which was when he bought the place and introduced himself. I never see him much. I don’t know who all those people were, but there’s a lot of people going in and out of the place.
“A lot of people around town knew him - they reckon he’s a complete nut case. I’m just waiting for them to catch this bloke so I can go home – I’m not allowed home till they catch the bloke.”
- Status
Similar threads
Online statistics
- Members online
- 141
- Guests online
- 2,592
- Total visitors
- 2,733