Dezi Freeman Shot Dead: Fugitive Refuses to Surrender Peacefully in Explosive Standoff with Police

Accused cop killer Dezi Freeman, wanted for the murder of two Victorian officers, was fatally shot by elite Special Operations Group officers near Walwa on Monday morning after a tense three-hour standoff.

By Crime & Courts Desk | March 30, 2026

Victoria Police have confirmed that Dezi Freeman, the 56-year-old fugitive accused of murdering two police officers in Porepunkah last August, was shot dead at a rural property near Walwa in north-east Victoria this morning.

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The dramatic conclusion to Australia’s most intense seven-month manhunt unfolded after intelligence led officers to the remote location. Members of the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) surrounded the property and initiated negotiations in an attempt to secure a peaceful surrender.

According to police statements, Freeman refused to surrender peacefully. During the standoff, stun grenades were deployed to disorient the fugitive. Freeman then emerged from a shipping container or structure, dropped a blanket he was wrapped in, and opened fire using a stolen police handgun. SOG officers returned fire in self-defence, fatally wounding Freeman. No police personnel were injured.

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Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush addressed the media shortly after the incident, stating that officers gave Freeman every opportunity to surrender. “He chose confrontation instead,” the Commissioner said. The operation was described as intelligence-led and conducted with priority given to public and officer safety.

The incident brings to a close a high-profile manhunt that began on 26 August 2025. On that day, Freeman allegedly ambushed police officers executing a search warrant at his Porepunkah property, linked to a child sex abuse investigation. Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart were shot dead, while a third officer was seriously injured. Freeman fled into dense bushland around Mount Buffalo National Park, taking weapons from the slain officers.

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Despite extensive searches involving specialist units, drones, ground teams, and a $1 million reward, Freeman evaded capture for 216 days. Police had previously indicated a strong belief he may have perished in the harsh high-country terrain, but today’s events confirmed he had survived and was hiding at the Walwa property. Reports suggest he may have received assistance from locals during his time on the run.

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The rural property near Walwa, set against rugged hills and bushland, became the final stage for the confrontation. Aerial views show the isolated, heavily wooded area typical of the region where Freeman had been hiding.

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Freeman’s death has brought a measure of closure to the families of the fallen officers and the wider policing community, though it has also reignited discussions about police tactics in armed fugitive operations and the challenges of manhunts in remote Australian terrain.

An independent investigation into the circumstances of the shooting will now be conducted, alongside ongoing inquiries into the original Porepunkah ambush.

Live Update Timeline (Monday 30 March 2026):

Early morning: Intelligence leads SOG to property near Walwa.
Several hours of negotiations attempted.
Stun grenades deployed as situation escalates.
Freeman opens fire with stolen police handgun.
SOG returns fire; Freeman fatally shot around 8:30am.
No police injuries reported.
Police Commissioner confirms details in media briefing.

The tragic events have left many questions unanswered, including how Freeman obtained and retained the stolen firearm and the full extent of any support network during his seven months on the run.

Tributes continue to flow for the two slain officers, remembered as dedicated public servants who lost their lives in the line of duty.