After evading capture for approximately seven months in the bushland, a gunman was shot by police today at a property located in the state’s north-east.
Victoria Police announced that a man was fatally shot at a rural site shortly before 8:30 a.m.
Fortunately, none of the police officers were harmed during the incident.
“The State Coroner will be present at the location, and the investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command, following the standard procedures for a police shooting,” the police stated in a release.
The suspect, Freeman, was reportedly hiding inside a shipping container in the town of Walwa when heavily armed officers confronted him.
He had been evading authorities since August 26 last year after the fatal shooting of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, at a rural property in Porepunkah.
A spokesperson for Police Association Victoria said today’s news represents a “step forward” in overcoming the tragedy in Porepunkah.
“Our members said they would find him. They did,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“Closure isn’t the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community.
“It doesn’t lessen the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen or lessen the collective fear and grief that this tragic event has instilled in police and the wider public.
“Today, we won’t reflect on the loss of a coward. We will remember the courage and bravery of our fallen members and every officer that has doggedly pursued this outcome for the community.”
Freeman was a 56-year-old self-declared sovereign citizen, which is
Police had attended the Rayner Track property on the morning of August 26 to execute a search warrant on behalf of the Wangaratta Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.
A third officer was seriously injured when Freeman opened fire on the officers, before he fled into surrounding bushland.
Freeman, a self-declared sovereign citizen, fled the property and had not been seen since.
The shooting triggered a state-wide manhunt in dense bushland, including multiple searches in Mt Buffalo National Park involving cadaver dogs.
A spokesperson for Police Association Victoria said today’s news represents a “step forward” in overcoming the tragedy in Porepunkah.
“Our members said they would find him. They did,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“Closure isn’t the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community.
“It doesn’t lessen the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen or lessen the collective fear and grief that this tragic event has instilled in police and the wider public.
“Today, we won’t reflect on the loss of a coward. We will remember the courage and bravery of our fallen members and every officer that has doggedly pursued this outcome for the community.”
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
