Suspected gunman who 'killed two police officers in cold blood' named for first time - as manhunt in Australia continues
A suspect has been named in the manhunt for a gunman who shot and killed two officers at a rural property in Australia.
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Victoria Police were called to the scene near Porepunkah, around 300km (190 miles) northeast of Melbourne, shortly after 10.30am on Tuesday.
Ten officers visited the address in order to execute a search warrant, where they “were met by the offender" who killed the officers in "cold blood”.
Police have named local man Dezi Freeman, 56, as the killer - who they have warned was "heavily armed" and is "still at large".
A helicopter and armoured vehicles have been deployed to the area - while locals have been urged to stay inside until the suspect is caught.
"We are pouring every resource into the search," Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Mike Bush said in an update.
"Be vigilant, keep yourselves safe."
Police believe he has multiple powerful firearms, with no guns being recovered from the scene.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush paid tribute to the “brave” officers, identifying the victims as Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart
A third officer was “seriously injured” after receiving a shot to the lower body, according to a statement by the force.
“It is believed ten police attended the property on Rayner track,” said the statement.
“It’s believed the offender has since left the property and at this time his whereabouts are unknown. A significant search is actively underway to locate the man.”
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Local police have said the suspect had multiple firearms, but did not clarify whether officers had discharged their weapons.
Reports suggest the suspect had taken and fired the officers’ weapons, a claim that police did not comment on.
No other officers were wounded in the incident.
The other injured officer, a detective, is in surgery. It does not appear they are in a life-threatening state.
The suspect is described by police as “heavily armed and dangerous”, and has “escaped into the bush on food and alone”.
Detectives from the Homicide Squad are currently at the scene, alongside members of the Armed Crime Squad and the Fugitive Squad, Special Operations Group and Critical Incident Response Team.
The search area is described by the emergency teams as “large” and rugged in places.
People have been asked to avoid the area, and all local council facilities will remain closed until further notice.
Wayne Gatt of the Victoria Police Association thanked “these courageous officers”, after two “paid the ultimate price”.
He promised that they would “do everything to look after” the families of the deceased officers.
ABC's Sharnelle Vella said officers believe the shooter is a so-called "sovereign citizen", according to information provided by her police contacts, and that police were serving a warrant from the sexual crimes squad, known as SOCIT.
Sovereign citizens believe the government is illegitimate.
Jacinta Allan, the Premier of Victoria, said on X: "A police operation is currently under way in Porepunkah, in Victoria's northeast."I have been briefed by the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. This situation remains active.
"Victoria Police officers, and all our first responders, show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day.
"They are the best of us - and the thoughts of all Victorians are with them today."