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

[Marg944]

“A police vantage point has been established at Feathertop Winery, where dozens of officers have gathered.”



URL unfurl="true"]https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9050758/accused-cop-killer-was-caught-up-in-a-serious-inquiry/[/URL]

Driving route:-

 

[drsleuth]

2m ago14.15 AEST

Catie McLeod
Local mechanic describes Freeman as a ‘new age Ned Kelly’

Marty Robinson, who owns the mechanic shop in town, described Freeman as a “new age Ned Kelly” who was “pretty handy in the bush”.

Standing on Porepunkah’s main street, gesturing up at the hills behind him, Robinson said the police “could be up there for weeks looking for” him.

“He doesn’t fit in and he doesn’t go along with the rules and he’s an anti-vaxxer – that’s all probably true. But … he’s a family man”, he said.

“I’m not saying he’s a hero or a legend but he’s someone’s father”.

Robinson said the day felt pretty normal to him and that Porepunkah remained a “sleepy little town”.

“Life goes on. Just checked my mail – no bills, that’s good. I’m servicing a lady’s car. The show goes on”, he said.


Think these reporters are starting to run out of things to report & people who will speak to them......

 

[Marg944]

Key Event
15m ago

Police converge on Mount Buffalo Road​

​

“A short time ago, police blocked off Mount Buffalo Road and several police cars were seen rushing to the area.

The road leads to Rayner Track where the shooting happened.

ABC journalists in Porepunkah are reporting the police chopper has been hovering over the road for some time and an ambulance has also arrived.

There is no confirmed information about whether there has been any developments in the search for Dezi Freeman.”

Police name slain officers as teams search for suspected gunman — as it happened

A massive search continues for a Porepunkah man who allegedly shot and killed two police officers at his property in rural Victoria.

www.abc.net.au

 

[SouthAussie]

Published at 2.26pm

"Locals and media gathered by a roadblock near Porepunkah heard two loud popping noises as well as the constant thrum of the police helicopter.

It is unclear what caused the banging sounds.

The police helicopter has been hovering over the same area of bushland over the slopes of Mount Buffalo, above the Buckland River, for the past 20 minutes, since two armoured BearCat police vehicles turned up at nearby Barrett Lane."

Porepunkah police shooting as it happened: Accused gunman remains on run as slain officers named

Dezi Freeman remains the target of a major manhunt after allegedly executing two policemen and injuring a third in an ambush attack in Porepunkah. Follow our live coverage.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Marg944]

Was a double post of SouthAussies above ……

 

[drsleuth]

1 hours ago

SOG, ambulances on the move​

Police set up a roadblock at Mount Buffalo Rd, between Bright and Porepunkah, just after 1pm, with a convoy of emergency services vehicles racing past shortly afterwards.

Special Operations Group members, unmarked police cars and highway patrol vehicles all raced down the road, with tactical officers seen riding inside an armoured vehicle.

Three ambulances also sped towards the property Freeman was last seen at. A police chopper hovered above that area.

53 minutes ago

Chopper hovering over Freeman property​

A SOG helicopter was spotted hovering above an area near Freeman’s property about 1:40pm as rain swept over Mount Buffalo.

24 minutes ago

Loud bangs heard nearby property​

Several additional police cars sped toward the property immediately after two loud bangs were heard on nearby Mount Buffalo Rd.

The police chopper remained over the property at 2:10pm.

It is unclear what the loud noises were or if they are related to the manhunt.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/major-manhunt-for-accused-double-cop-killer-dezi-freeman-continues-on-wednesday-around-porepunkah/live-coverage/22e64ea9be5f5e24df3452f59ede3d53?amp

 

[drsleuth]

2.46pm

No confirmed sightings of Freeman, police say​

By​

There have been no confirmed sightings of Dezi Freeman since he fled, police confirmed, as authorities release details of the alleged gunman’s appearance.

“Filby is described as being Caucasian, 183cm tall, medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes,” police said in a statement.

“He was last seen wearing dark green (khaki) tracksuit pants, dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses.”

Police warned the public to not approach Freeman, who was previously known as Desmond Filby, as he is believed to possess firearms.

“The community can be reassured that we have significant resources from within Victoria Police, along with other agencies, assisting in the search to locate Filby,” police said.

“People in Porepunkah and surrounding townships can expect to see a lot of police activity in and around their community.

“The emergency alert sent out people in the local Porepunkah area this morning, urging them to stay indoors, remains active. We continue to ask people not to travel into the area.”

Porepunkah police shooting as it happened: Accused gunman remains on run as slain officers named

Dezi Freeman remains the target of a major manhunt after allegedly executing two policemen and injuring a third in an ambush attack in Porepunkah. Follow our live coverage.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Marg944]

Key Event
7m ago

Police release photo of Dezi Freeman​

By Melissa Brown​

Victoria Police has published an update about the search for Dezi Freeman on its website.

It warns the locals in Porepunkah and surrounding townships will continue to see a lot of police activity in their area.

Police say Mr Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, was last seen wearing dark green or khaki tracksuit pants, a dark green rain jacket, brown boots and reading glasses.

They also describe him as being 183cm tall, of medium build with short dark hair.

"The community can be reassured that we have significant resources from within Victoria Police, along with other agencies, assisting in the search to locate Filby," the statement said.

Police name slain officers as teams search for suspected gunman — as it happened

A massive search continues for a Porepunkah man who allegedly shot and killed two police officers at his property in rural Victoria.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

Mark Knight’s tribute to the two police officers.

The Herald Sun has been told the members – one on the cusp of retirement and the other on a snow season secondment – had boarded a bus used by Dezi Freeman as a home where they were to carry out a gun check.

It is alleged Mr Freeman, who was inside, suddenly emerged and blasted them with a shotgun in what one police source described as a “straight-out execution”.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/police-officer-shot-at-porepunkah-two-other-officers-unaccounted-for/live-coverage/b9e39391791ee15b798cfeb94359e84f?amp

 

[drsleuth]

2.56pm

Police helicopter leaves after hovering at mountain slopes​

By​

The police helicopter, which had been focused on a small area of bushland, has now left the area completely and all is eerily quiet.

The police helicopter had been hovering over the same area of bush over the slopes of Mount Buffalo, above the Buckland River for about 30 minutes, after two armoured police vehicles turned up at nearby Barrett Lane.

While the helicopter was in the area locals and media heard two loud popping sounds. The noises origin is unclear.

A police helicopter at a makeshift base at the Feather Top Winery, Porepunkah. Credit: Joe Armao

Porepunkah police shooting as it happened: Accused gunman remains on run as slain officers named

Dezi Freeman remains the target of a major manhunt after allegedly executing two policemen and injuring a third in an ambush attack in Porepunkah. Follow our live coverage.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Deleted member 367982]

It's difficult to be a bystander in these situations when there are live reports. I mean it all sounded very promising with two loud bangs, chopper overhead for 20 minutes, police, armoured vehicle and ambulances all racing to the spot, roadblocks...and then everything is eerily quiet.

 

[drsleuth]

14m ago06.05 BST

Catie McLeod
Police set up new roadblock close to Porepunkah township

Police have set up a roadblock on Mt Buffalo Rd, not far from central Porepunkah.

I’m here at the roadblock - along with most of the other media. It’s now raining heavily.

We’re about two kms away from the start of Rayner Track, the road that leads to the property where the shooting took place.

While Guardian Australia’s photographer, Stuart Walmsley, and I were able to drive right up to the entrance of the property earlier today, police now aren’t letting the media any further down the main road.

The police who are here haven’t provided any further details as to why they’ve blocked off the road but we will update you as soon as we learn more.

Porepunkah shooting live: helicopter circling as at least three shots heard near property where suspected gunman was living

Follow live

www.theguardian.com

 

[Lisbeth_S]

Robinson said the day felt pretty normal to him and that Porepunkah remained a “sleepy little town”.

“Life goes on. Just checked my mail – no bills, that’s good. I’m servicing a lady’s car. The show goes on”, he said.

In the midst of the tragedy unfolding, somehow this guy made me giggle for an instant.

Life does go on for everybody else, but sadly not for the ones whose lives were taken.

 

[MrJ]

Police say two loud bangs heard nearby are not related to the active search for Freeman.
@7NewsMelbourne

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960572479908479294

 

[drsleuth]

2m ago

Flowers placed outside Wodonga Police Station​

By Melissa Brown​

We're still waiting for any updates on what is happening at Mount Buffalo Road.

In the meantime, locals have been leaving flowers outside the main police station in Wodonga, the nearest major town to Porepunkah.

The local police have used social media to express their gratitude to the community for its support.

"The flowers, cards, and countless messages of kindness and sympathy mean more than words can express," a Facebook post reads.

"In such a difficult time, it is deeply comforting to know we are surrounded by a community that stands with us. Your compassion and care are a reminder of the strength we have when we come together."

Community members have left flowers outside the Wodonga Police Station. (Facebook: Eyewatch - Wodonga Police Service Area)

Police name slain officers as teams search for suspected gunman — as it happened

A massive search continues for a Porepunkah man who allegedly shot and killed two police officers at his property in rural Victoria.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

6m ago15.47 AEST

Police identify fallen officers​

Victoria Police have named the officers who lost their lives in yesterday’s shooting as Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.

Thompson joined Victoria Police in 1987 and spent seven years in general duties at Collingwood Police Station before working as a detective at the Major Fraud Squad and the State Crime Squad.

He took up his most recent post at Wangaratta CIU in July 2007. In a statement, police said Neal was an adventurer and enjoyed all things outdoors.

He loved getting out in nature, and his friends and colleagues regularly joined him on these trips.


Neal had spent the past six years alongside his partner, Lisa, the love of his life. Since the pair met, Neal had found new purpose and was planning in earnest for his imminent retirement. Together with Lisa, Neal had built a new home and had a long list of tasks planned after he knocked off work for the last time.

De Waart started his policing career at the Victoria Police Academy in late 2018. He worked for three years at St Kilda Police Station before joining PORT as a senior constable in April 2023. At the time of his passing, Vadim was on temporary assignment in Wangaratta.

An eternal optimist and avid traveller, Vadim was fluent in French, Spanish, Flemish and English. He had also completed scuba dives all around the world and motorcycling trips more locally with his friends and colleagues.


He was a keen gin collector and always picked up a local bottle on his overseas adventures for his large collection at home. While travelling was his passion, Vadim was extremely proud to have purchased his first home in Melbourne in recent years.


Vadim is survived by his beloved parents Carolina and Alain, who live in his native Belgium, and his younger brother Sacha who lives in Switzerland. Closer to home in Melbourne, he leaves behind his aunty Jacqueline, uncle Shane, uncle Peter, aunty Maria and his cousins Christopher, Jeremy, Laura and Tessa.

6m ago15.48 AEST
Victoria’s chief police commissioner, Mike Bush, paid tribute to his two colleagues.

This devastating loss of Neal and Vadim has struck at the heart of Victoria Police, the broader policing family and the community of Porepunkah.


In the coming days, weeks and months, we will all grieve this loss and deeply miss our colleagues and friends who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.


It is not lost on me that our members take a risk every time they go to work to protect the Victorian community. While we all live with the knowledge that the worst could happen on a shift, we don’t expect it to.

Bush said in these “difficult times” it was “so important that our people stand together and support each other”.

I have full confidence that we will all do this with dignity and respect.

Porepunkah shooting live: helicopter circling as at least three shots heard near property where suspected gunman was living

Follow live

www.theguardian.com

RIP Neal & Vadim

 

[Marg944]

Killed police identified​

​

“A popular local detective on the verge of retirement and a senior constable temporarily assigned to Victoria’s Alpine region have been identified as the two police officers killed in the Porepunkah shooting tragedy.

Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim de Waart, 35, were allegedly shot dead by radicalised conspiracy theorist Dezi Freeman at a vast rural property in the state’s north-east on Tuesday while attempting to execute a search warrant.”

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson was only weeks away from retirement.

Thompson, who was due to retire next month, was an avid hunter and outdoorsman who was assigned to serve yesterday’s warrant because he had previously dealt with Freeman and had established a rapport.

Senior Constable Vadim de Waart.

“The 59-year-old, who was previously involved in drug busts but was currently working for Wangaratta’s sexual offences and child abuse investigation team, was the first officer to knock on a door at the property yesterday, according to multiple police sources. Those sources said Freeman ambushed Thompson and shot him with a shotgun.

The second victim, de Waart, was on secondment in north-east Victoria and had only been in the region for a week, according to police sources. He was previously part of Melbourne’s public order response team.

The 35-year-old, from Belgium, moved to Australia as an adult and had been with Victoria Police for five years. He was fluent in French and English, and was also proficient in Dutch and Spanish.

The police officer who was shot in the leg, but survived, has been identified as Peter Evans. He remains in a stable condition at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.”

Porepunkah police shooting as it happened: Accused gunman remains on run as slain officers named

Dezi Freeman remains the target of a major manhunt after allegedly executing two policemen and injuring a third in an ambush attack in Porepunkah. Follow our live coverage.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Marg944]

Porepunkah police shooting as it happened: Accused gunman remains on run as slain officers named

Dezi Freeman remains the target of a major manhunt after allegedly executing two policemen and injuring a third in an ambush attack in Porepunkah. Follow our live coverage.

www.theage.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

Victoria Police​

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It is with incredible sadness that Victoria Police names the two officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty in Porepunkah yesterday: Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.


Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (VP26182)
Neal joined Victoria Police in September 1987 and, after completing his training, spent seven years in general duties at Collingwood Police Station.
For the next decade, Neal worked as a detective at the Major Fraud Squad and the State Crime Squad, before taking up his most recent post at Wangaratta CIU in July 2007.
Neal was an adventurer and enjoyed all things outdoors. He loved getting out in nature, and his friends and colleagues regularly joined him on these trips.
Neal had spent the past six years alongside his partner, Lisa, the love of his life. Since the pair met, Neal had found new purpose and was planning in earnest for his imminent retirement. Together with Lisa, Neal had built a new home and had a long list of tasks planned after he knocked off work for the last time.


Senior Constable Vadim De Waart (VP44954)
Vadim started his policing career at the Victoria Police Academy in December 2018. Following his training, Vadim joined St Kilda Police Station where he worked for three years, before joining PORT as a senior constable in April 2023. At the time of his passing, Vadim was on temporary assignment in Wangaratta.
An eternal optimist and avid traveller, Vadim was fluent in French, Spanish, Flemish and English. He had also completed scuba dives all around the world and motorcycling trips more locally with his friends and colleagues.
He was a keen gin collector and always picked up a local bottle on his overseas adventures for his large collection at home. While travelling was his passion, Vadim was extremely proud to have purchased his first home in Melbourne in recent years.
Vadim is survived by his beloved parents Carolina and Alain, who live in his native Belgium, and his younger brother Sacha who lives in Switzerland. Closer to home in Melbourne, he leaves behind his aunty Jacqueline, uncle Shane, uncle Peter, aunty Maria and his cousins Christopher, Jeremy, Laura and Tessa.

 

[Marg944]

These senseless killings break my heart.

I intend to call into my local Police station tomorrow, to thank them for protecting us.