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

Australia Reports Record High Indigenous Custody Deaths Since 1979

Australia is facing a sobering reality with the highest number of deaths…

Father Supports Woman Accused in Fatal Crash Involving His Son

Background: Delyshia Molette in court on Dec. 9 (WKRG). Inset: Delyshia Molette…

Horrific Attack: Son Assaults Mother with Baseball Bat While Father Stands By

Insets, top to bottom: Gabriel Vilchez and David Gardiner (Sequatchie County Sheriff”s…

Unveiling Epstein’s Sinister ‘Dentist Chair’ on Lolita Island: Shocking Emails Expose Dark Secrets

House Democrats have unveiled over 150 previously unseen photographs and videos from…

Third Suspect Apprehended in Tragic Case of 14-Year-Old Found Deceased in Woodland Area

Background: News footage of the scene in Pace, Fla., where Danika Troy’s…

Tragedy Strikes: How Substance Abuse Led to a Heartbreaking Infant Suffocation

Background: The Lee County Jail in Montrose, Iowa (Google Maps). Inset: Jaley…

Florida Paramedic Convicted of Assaulting Unconscious Patient During Hospital Transport

A jury in Florida reached a verdict on Wednesday, convicting a former…

DOJ Faces Lawsuit Over Concealed Memo on Boat Strike Immunity: Legal Transparency at Stake

President Donald Trump salutes as he attends a military parade commemorating the…

Court Deems Arson Suspect Fit for Trial in Councilman Case

Inset: Shotsie Buck-Hayes (Danville Police Department). Background: Virginia councilman Lee Vogler speaking…

Father Stands Up for Woman Accused in Tragic Accident That Took His Son’s Life

Background: Delyshia Molette in court on Dec. 9 (WKRG). Inset: Delyshia Molette…

Mother Charged with Capital Murder: DA Alleges Complicity in Boyfriend’s Horrific Crime Against Her Son

Left: Dahrian Zamora and his son Dawson Zamora (Facebook). Right: Chelsea Berg…

Suburban Assault: Man Charged with Grenade Attack on Residential Street

A man is set to appear in court today, accused of launching…