A man believed to be long-sought fugitive Dezi Freeman has been shot dead by police following a three-hour stand-off near the New South Wales border in northern Victoria.
Freeman, 56, had been evading authorities since August after allegedly killing two officers, and was located at a remote property in Thologolong, roughly 150 kilometres from the original incident site.
Officers surrounded a makeshift dwelling early Monday morning, with the confrontation beginning around 5:30am and ending just after 8:30am when Freeman emerged and was fatally shot.
Victoria Police said the man had been given multiple chances to surrender peacefully. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that, based on briefings and available evidence, officers acted appropriately in handling the situation.
Detailed History of the Dezi Freeman Incident – From the August 2025 Shootings to 30 March 2026
On 26 August 2025, at around 10:30 a.m., @VictoriaPolice officers executed a search warrant at Dezi Freeman’s rural property (Four Gully Farm / Rayner Track) in Porepunkah, north-east… pic.twitter.com/bl7JJYYvNr
— Shane Healey (@TerroristHunte6) March 30, 2026
Michael Dennis Bush CNZM is the current Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in Australia and a former New Zealand police officer.
More shooting by cops in Victoria than any other state in Australia-stan. A good place to stay out of.