No-fly zone extended, heavy police presence remains in hunt for accused gunman
Share this @internewscast.com

The Australia Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) granted a no-fly extension today.

The no-fly zone is within an 18 kilometre radius of Porepunkah Airport and it includes all aircraft, including drones.

Police searching operation takes place at the Porepunkah Airfield on Sunday afternoon. 7 September 2025. Photo: Eddie Jim.
Police searching operation takes place at the Porepunkah Airfield on September 7. (Eddie Jim)

The ban was initially established due to police suspicion that Freeman remains armed and poses a risk to aircraft.

The manhunt for accused cop killer Freeman has now entered its 28th day.

A heavy police presence remains on the ground in Porepunkah, neighbouring town Bright and the greater Victorian alpine region.

Victoria Police said crews are committed to using “every available resource and the necessary skills” needed to find Freeman.

“Resourcing numbers will continue to fluctuate in-line with operational requirements,” a police spokesperson said.

Police last week lifted travel warnings for Porepunkah, however reminded residents and visitors to remain vigilant.

Police staging area in Ovens. (Nine)

Members of the public had been earlier advised to avoid the small town in Victoria’s north-east.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Russell Barrett said the move was to enable local residents to “return to a state of normality”.

Police anticipate visitor numbers will increase over the school holiday period.

Locals breathed a collective sigh of relief as the normally thriving town struggled for nearly three weeks under major travel restrictions.

“It’s been hard, we lost I’m guessing, in the 20 thousands in turnover,” Cherry Walk Cafe owner Leanne Boyd told 9News.

The Mount Buffalo National Park remains closed.

“This decision is being constantly assessed and we will advise as soon as the park can re-open,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

Dezi Freeman
Dezi Freeman has not been seen since August 26. (9News)

Freeman, 56, has not been officially seen since August 26 when he allegedly gunned down officers Neal Thompson, 59, and 34-year-old Vadim De Waart-Hottart.

A $1 million reward was offered for any information leading to the arrest of the accused gunman, the largest of any offered in the state.

Superintendent Craig Darlow last week said police have been given 200 tips since the reward was announced.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said he remains open to all possibilities in regards to the whereabouts of Freeman and said the reward was “just another avenue” in the hunt.

Police have received more than 1000 tips from the public so far.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Judge Appointed by Trump Declares Biden Administration’s Actions Unlawful: Legal Implications Unfold

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago,…

Florida Tragedy: UK Woman Allegedly Hires Man for Grisly Murder Plot, Say Police

A Florida man has been arrested for the murder of a woman…

Shocking Cruise Tragedy: Anna Kepner’s Brother Unknowingly Shares Cabin with Her Hidden Body

In a chilling development aboard the Carnival Horizon earlier this month, Anna…

Mother Sentenced in Shocking Case of Child Neglect and Abuse

Inset: Lisa Mitchell (Oklahoma County Detention Center). Background: The apartment complex where…

Tragic Dispute: Man Fatally Strangles Ex-Girlfriend During Heated Argument Over Music

Insets, left to right: Keylin Chavez Dominguez and Francisco Lara-Garcia. Background: The…

Tragic Incident: Father Fatally Attacked by Ex-Wife and Her Partner Post-Divorce, Police Report Reveals

Insets, left to right: Michael Hogue (Boone County Sheriff’s Office), Kevin Nikel…

Shocking Kidnapping Case: 12-Year-Old Victim Endures Chemical Assault by Cousin

Background: News footage of DeMarcus Pleasure in court on Nov. 7 (WDTN).…

NRL Star’s Mother’s Mental Health Defense: A Closer Look at Tragic Accident Impacting Three Lives

The mother of NRL premiership star Payne Haas plans to use a…

Neo-Nazi Leader Faces Charges for Alleged Online Harassment of Federal Member of Parliament

A well-known figure in the neo-Nazi movement faces charges for allegedly targeting…

Oregon Mother Arrested: Non-Verbal Son Discovered Alone in Squalid, Hazardous Home

An Oregon woman was taken into custody recently after authorities discovered her…

Employee Compelled to Do Pushups Found Guilty in CEO Murder Case

Left inset: Kaleb Charters (Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Tushar…

Caught on Camera: Car Thief’s Shocked Reaction to Discovering Sleeping Baby Inside

An alleged car thief in regional Victoria made a quick stop upon…