Manhunt in rugged terrain approaches fourth day
Victoria police are not expected to make any more announcements tonight on the hunt for Dezi Freeman.
Earlier, the two Bearcats and several police vehicles left the area near the property they had been searching this afternoon.
It is cold and wet, with a low of 3C expected for the evening.
Tomorrow the search will enter its fourth day – four days in rugged terrain and miserable weather that Freeman has continued to hide from the large-scale search.
We will be with you from the morning with all the updates.
Until then, take a read of our full report on the ongoing search or read a summary of what we know so far.
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Local cafe pays tribute to officer with ‘heart of gold’ who visited almost every day
A local cafe has expressed their “devastation” at the loss of their “long time customer and friend”, Neal “Thommo” Thompson, after he was killed in the Porepunkah shooting on Tuesday.
In a tribute posted to social media, Ineeta cafe, in the town of Moyhu, said Thompson had been a regular for the past decade.
I would nearly hazard to say he’d be the most visited customer ever. Sometimes coming in everyday … on his way to and from work. He would sit quietly for hours reading the paper or engaging in conversation with locals that knew him.
Jimmy, his beloved wired haired pointer (now passed), would often come with him and we’d know two egg and bacon muffins were needed, one for Neal one for Jimmy. We would chat about life, hunting, fishing, Nepal, adventures, his car, rock climbing … and lately all the things he was going to do in his retirement. I’m so sad he won’t get to live that life in retirement.
The post reflected on how Thompson would sometimes arrive early before the cafe opened, “sneak in and revel in how big of a scare he could give me, and then chuckle at how well he’d done”.
Tuesday morning he got me a beauty, he then stayed for breakfast and a couple of coffees … He said he was heading up to Bright at nine. I will relive those final conversations that morning for ever. He was unique, heart of gold, larger than life, intimidating to some but still a softness without words. Struggling to believe he’s gone. He’s left a big hole in our community and our hearts.
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Businesses in Porepunkah remain closed ‘until further notice’
Alpine shire council will keep its transfer station closed in Porepunkah but resume most other services as the manhunt for Dezi Freeman continues.
In a statement, the council said its services in Bright would resume from tomorrow morning, including its library, visitor information centre and sports centre:
Our cleaning contractor will recommence limited cleaning services in Bright tomorrow, during daylight hours only. The Porepunkah Transfer Station will remain closed until further notice.
We thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work through this evolving situation. Please continue to follow police advice, look after one another, and stay safe.
Meanwhile, the Porepunkah pub is remaining closed “until further notice”. It said in a statement that the venue would reopen “once the community has been advised that businesses and residents are free to move around Porepunkah”.
The pub is an important gathering place, and we look forward to welcoming you back as soon as it is safe to do so.
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Search near property appears to be ending for day
It looks like the search near the property is starting to wrap up again for the day as the two Bearcats and a convoy of police vehicles have just left the area.
The roadblock is still in place but the rain has started coming down and the hills are covered in thick cloud cover now.
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‘Sovereign citizen’ movement peddles ‘incredibly violent ideology’, expert says
Roose said “sovereign citizen” ideology, which Dezi Freeman was associated with, was “incredibly complex”:
They believe that the government is an illegitimate cooperation that enslaves people. They believe that by declaring themselves sovereign they can declare independence, and in doing so, be freed of the constraints of government through what they call a strawman. It is conspiratorial as it sounds, but at its heart it is an incredibly violent ideology.
There is a deep hatred of the state and its institutions, in particular, the police. To that extent, it’s important to be very aware of not only its potential for violence, but how they might respond to that as well.
Roose said amid growing polarisation in Australia, there was an “increased propensity and chance of violence” amongst people who identified as “sovereign citizens” or were pseudolaw adherents.
Asked if there was the potential for future copycat acts, Roose said “anything is possible”.
It is really important we don’t speculate without an evidence base. But if you are looking at the broad context and what we have seen with other forms of radicalisation … other people are drawn to them, and we’ve seen many cases of copycat terrorism and drawing inspiration from others, like the Christchurch attack when young people have sought to replicate elements of the attack.
‘Sovereign citizen’ movement numbered in tens of thousands, expert says
Members of the “sovereign citizen” movement have likely “drawn inspiration” from the suspected gunman, an extremism expert says.
Dr Joshua Roose, an extremism expert at Deakin University, has been consulted by the government on the unfolding situation at Porepunkah.
Speaking on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, he said including people active in online forums, “tens of thousands” of people were part of the “sovereign citizen” movement.
But if you are talking about hard “sovereign citizens”, talking about people who live on the outskirts and have chosen to remove themselves … you are probably talking about several thousands around Victoria and New South Wales, Queensland. To that extent, there are likely people who are not only supportive of this individual, but have drawn inspiration from him.
Asked if the police were “adequately prepared” for the threat of “sovereign citizens” or pseudolaw adherents, Roose said it was “important to be aware of the potential for violence at its core”.
We are talking about a movement that internationally, particularly in the United States, has demonstrated violence, particularly against the police over a prolonged period of time.
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Elite AFP team join Porepunkah manhunt
The Australian federal police’s elite tactical unit has joined the hunt for suspected Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman.
The AFP confirmed its officers had joined the search after a request from Victoria police. A spokesperson said:
The AFP can confirm it is providing assistance to the ongoing police operation in Porepunkah, Victoria, at the request of Victoria police.
Any further inquiries should be directed to Victoria police.
Guardian Australia understands that officers from the tactical response team have been deployed.
The team is known to deploy in Australia and overseas to support high-risk operations.
The AFP says on its website that:
The team uses specialised, rapidly deployable technology and other tactical capabilities.
As a Tactical Response Operator (TRO), you’ll take part in operations to resolve, manage, and disrupt serious threats to the Australian community.
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Helen Haines says extreme ideologies are of ‘great concern’
Asked about the dangers of “sovereign citizens”, Haines said she couldn’t comment on the suspect at large but held “great concern” about people holding extreme ideologies.
Dezi Freeman has a history of association with pseudolaw and “sovereign citizen” ideas.
Haines:
I am concerned about the extreme ideological perspectives that are held by some people. There’s no room in this nation for extreme ideological views, where some people believe they can operate outside the law, no one can operate outside the law. In our community, everyone is subject to the same sets of laws.
And extreme ideologies bring me great concern, and I know they bring great concern to everyday people and certainly to those of us in public life, and for our law enforcement officers, it is concerning.
You can read more about the phenomenon from our very own Ariel Bogle, who wrote a fascinating piece on the issue:
Search for alleged shooter could go on for ‘some time’, Helen Haines says
The federal member for Indi, Helen Haines, says Porepunkah is in “deep grief” and “shock” as they await news on the alleged gunman.
Speaking on ABC Goulburn Murray, Haines said she was “deeply worried” for police officers and emergency services personnel “putting their own lives on the line” as the search continued amid “difficult terrain”.
This is mountain country, thick bush country, deep valleys and ravines, caves, and it’s terrible weather.
Haines said she had spoken to the prime minister who had indicated the federal government stood ready to do “whatever they can” if requested by the state government.
This individual is supposedly someone who has very advanced bushcraft and this is rugged terrain … This is an extraordinary operation that’s ongoing and could be ongoing for some time.
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‘Please be peaceful’: Victorian premier’s message to ‘March for Australia’ protestors
Victoria’s premier has urged protesters planning to attend a scheduled “March for Australia” rally in Melbourne this weekend to “be peaceful and respectful”.
Appearing on ABC Goulburn Murray, Jacinta Allan was asked if Victoria police would have enough resources to respond to the anti-immigration march as they continued to search for Dezi Freeman in the state’s Alpine region.
She said they would, adding “this speaks to the enormous work that Victoria police do every day to keep our communities safe regardless of the circumstances”.
I know there is some activity planned for Melbourne this weekend. My call for anyone thinking of attending activities in the city on the weekend is to please be peaceful, be respectful, keep yourselves and others safe.
I would’ve thought after this week, with Victoria police touched with such deep and awful tragedy, thats the least that can be done by everyone in the community is ... going about their day in a respectful and safe way.
The premier also said Freeman should “heed the advice” of Victoria police and hand himself in.
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Day three: what we know so far
The manhunt continues for Dezi Freeman, a 56-year-old so-called “sovereign citizen” accused of killing two police officers and injuring another in Porepunkah.
Here’s everything you need to know as the search enters its third day:
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Premier and police minister met with Thompson’s partner
The police minister, Anthony Carbines, has also spoken in question time in the Victorian parliament on the deaths of Det Leading Sen Const Neal Thompson, 59, and Sen Const Vadim de Waart, 35, in the Porepunkah shooting.
He says the community has united behind police, inundating stations with “cards, chocolates and flowers”, laying wreaths at the police memorial on St Kilda Road, lighting up buildings across Melbourne in blue and flying flags at half mast. Carbines goes on:
Many of us have seen the moving footage of the impromptu guard of honour of police honouring their fallen colleagues. I know Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt has also been up in the north-east, visiting stations, talking to members, ensuring they have the support that they need.
Police Legacy have established a remembrance fund to support the families of those officers that have been lost as a result of this unspeakable crime and Victorians have given generously already.
Carbines reveals that he, alongside the premier, Jacinta Allan, and chief commissioner of police, Mike Bush, met with Thompson’s partner Lisa today. He said Lisa is also a police officer:
It was a privilege, alongside the premier and chief commissioner Bush, to spend some time today with Mr Thompson’s partner, Lisa, also a serving officer of Victoria police.
We pay our deepest respects to these officers and their families, and we wish our police members who continue to hunt a dangerous fugitive and armed offender, every success in their work.
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Victoria’s premier begins question time acknowledging Porepunkah community
For the third consecutive day, Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, has used a ministerial statement in the state parliament’s question time to acknowledge the community of Porepunkah.
She says the community were currently living “under the long and heavy shadow of unthinkable tragedy”. Allan went on:
I want to acknowledge that for the community of Porepunkah, that life is far from easy right now, that nothing is ordinary, that every part of their daily life is touched by fear, it is touched by uncertainty, and for so many it’s touched by grief.
Allan says grief in a small town “is never contained”. Instead, she says it “spreads like smoke through the air, it ripples outwards and it touches everyone”. But she says they will “not carry it alone”:
Our government, this parliament and every single Victorian stands with Porepunkah. We stand too with Victoria police, we stand with those families and those emergency services, who are out there again today, in the cold, in the rain, in dangerous conditions, who are working day and night to see justice delivered, to keep this beautiful community safe and indeed, every corner of this great state safe.
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Police warn residents not to approach Dezi Freeman if they see him
Police have warned residents in the surrounding area again about approaching Dezi Freeman if they see him.
In a text, police said:
Message from Victoria Police. Specialist police continue to search for Desmond Freeman (Filby) who is armed and dangerous. If you see Desmond, call 000 immediately but do not approach him.
Victoria Police request you remain vigilant and avoid travel through Porepunkah, unless essential.
Updated
Dezi Freeman knows bushland better than ‘cops know their own backyards’, local says
The sun is finally shining in Porepunkah, making the search conditions a litter easier.
But a blanket of cloud is still hanging over most of the Mount Buffalo plateau.
A police helicopter has been circling the ridge near the property where the shooting took place for about the last hour.
Another Bearcat, the heavily armoured vehicles the special ops use, was seen entering the area that has been blocked off.
Another resident, who lives close to the property, said suspected gunman Dezi Freeman could hide out in this huge area for days.
Look around, this is his backyard. And he knows it better than the cops know their own backyards.
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PM offers condolences to families of police officers killed in Porepunkah
Before the lower house gets into question time, Anthony Albanese offers his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two police officers killed in Victoria, and the third officer who was injured and remains in hospital.
Albanese says he’s told the Victorian government that the federal government “stands ready” to provide support where needed.
Right now the Victoria police are still engaged in their search for the killer at the centre of these terrible events … I’ve been speaking regularly with Victoria premier Jacinta Allan, and the commonwealth stands ready to provide any support now or in the future.
I understand in these raw early days, the close knit community of Porepunkah is grappling with the sense of horror and also disbelief.
The events are a “sombre reminder”, says Albanese, of the dangers police officers face every day to keep communities safe.
I say it not just on behalf of this parliament, but as Australia’s prime minister on behalf of every Australian. Detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson was a hero. Senior constable Vadim De Waart was a hero. They’ll be honoured and remembered as heroes by Victoria police, by Victorians, by all of us and all Australians.
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Police tell suspect to ring triple zero as they will ‘support a surrender plan’
Brett Kahan goes on to directly address Dezi Freeman, in case he is watching the press conference:
If Dezi Freeman is watching this, ring triple zero, and we will support a surrender plan, that option is absolutely open to him.
Victoria police are working through a strategic resourcing plan in anticipation of the search continuing into the weekend, Russell Barrett says.
He says the messaging for locals is not to stay inside, but to “be vigilant”.
Asked how he anticipates the situation will unfold in the coming days, he says:
I hope safely. I hope for the arrest of Dezi Freeman and [to] bring him to justice for our members.
This is one of the more or the most difficult matters that I’ve dealt with and one of the most difficult matters in Victoria police’s history. The community support goes a long way to helping us work our way through it … Thank you.
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Police say anyone harbouring fugitive will be prosecuted for criminal offence
Russell Barrett is asked about recent raids that have been undertaken in properties near the township of Porepunkah, which we have brought to you on the live blog.
He says there are a “number of properties” that police are searching and a “number of inquiries open to us that we’re working through systematically”.
What I would say to the community and say to anyone who may be considering harbouring or supporting [Dezi Freeman], they need to reconsider. They’re committing a criminal offence, and we will prosecute them.
They believe the property he was living on is currently vacant; however, Dezi Freeman’s wife has been spoken to, and police are continuing to speak to her, Barrett says.
There have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman since he went missing.
Asked if they can shed light on what loud banging noises were that reporters heard yesterday evening, he replies:
No, I can’t.
Updated
Police superintendent urges people heading to snow to avoid Porepunkah
Superintendent Brett Kahan urges anyone thinking of heading to the snow this weekend to “avoid Porepunkah”.
This is an area of significant police activity. There’s other alternative routes to the snow.
The township of Porepunkah would never have seen the number of police in and around that town every before, and that’s something we’ll continue to do until the area of activity shifts.
But it’s important for us to give that township and neighbouring townships some reassurance through some patrols that we’re also thinking of them … giving them reassurance that they are safe while this fugitive is at large is really important to us.
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Search for Dezi Freeman over ‘dangerous terrain’ will be ‘protracted’, police say
Russell Barrett says the “major police operation” is continuing with “every available asset” being used to attempt to locate Dezi Freeman.
We have assistance from other policing organisations here on the ground in an effort to quickly apprehend the offender.
That’s our purpose, and we will not rest until it occurs … We will not rest until we apprehend the offender.
He adds it is “fair to say we’ve got a protracted search” and it’s “really difficult terrain” that police are navigating.
It’s not something that we, even with our specialist resources, can move through quickly, because it’s dangerous terrain as well. So we will tread carefully through that terrain, because we obviously don’t want to put any of our members in danger.
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Deputy commissioner pays tribute to killed officers in press conference
Victoria police is holding a press conference in Wangaratta now.
Deputy commissioner regional operations Russell Barrett starts by paying tribute to the two officers that has lost their lives, one of whom, Neal Thompson, was only “a week or two” from retirement, and the other, Vadim De Waart, who was “looking forward to the future”.
He says conducting a warrant is what police do “every day” and “every member” can put themselves in the shoes of their two fallen colleagues.
It’s devastating, it’s hard to talk to.
The third officer who was injured is recovering from surgery in hospital, police confirm.
He’ll take some time to recover, but I acknowledge him and his family and the family of our two fallen members, just my absolute respect and deepest sympathies.
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Wangaratta to illuminate its Water Tower in blue for remainder of week
As we await that police press conference, Wangaratta’s council has announced it will illuminate its Water Tower in blue this week in honour of Victoria police.
In a statement, the council expressed its “deep sadness and shock at the tragic deaths of two Victoria Police members yesterday in Porepunkah”.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and police colleagues during this difficult time, as well as to our neighbours in the Alpine Shire Council community.
In remembrance of the two Victoria Police members and to honour the extraordinary work of Victoria Police in protecting and supporting our community, the Water Tower will be illuminated in blue this week.
Both officers who were killed were part of Wangaratta’s police force.
Detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson, 59, had been with the Wangaratta criminal investigation unit since 2007, while senior constable Vadim De Waart, 35, was on a temporary assignment in the regional city.
Updated
Police set up roadblock limiting access to property
Police have just set up another roadblock near Rayner Track, the scene of Tuesday’s shooting.
The roadblock is in the same position it was last night, and the helicopter can be heard flying overhead.
Last night there was heavy police presence in the area, with the helicopter flying overhead and several Bearcats. Earlier today the roadblock had been taken down, with access to the property allowed.
Police warned media about going near the property.
A line of police vehicles, including at least one Bearcat, could seen parked further down the road.
It follows at least two raids on properties this morning.
Updated
Media moved on from raid site
The media have been asked to move away from a property on the outskirts of Porepunkah that heavily armed officers just raided.
It’s believed to be the second raid on a property around the town today.
Officers from the critical incident response team were seen entering a large shed on the property before searching other areas of the property.
Plainclothes officers had just entered the main dwelling before the media were asked to leave the area for safety reasons. No one else was seen.
Updated
Victoria police to address media from Wangaratta this afternoon
I’m back in Wangaratta at the police station, where we are expecting a press conference at 2pm.
In the foyer of the police station there are many bouquets of flowers and cards with written tributes for the two officers who were shot and killed in Porepunkah on Tuesday, as well as messages of condolence for their families and colleagues.
On a table covered in a white cloth are framed photos of the men who died: detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson, 59, a local detective who had been planning his retirement, and senior constable Vadim De Waart, 35, who was on temporary assignment in Victoria’s Alpine region.
Updated
Caves and goldmines in Alpine region could allow suspect to hide ‘for weeks’, expert says
A drone expert says Dezi Freeman could evade police detection “for weeks” by hiding in a cave or goldmine if he has sufficient supplies.
Appearing on ABC News, operations manager at C-Astral Aerospace Search and Rescue, Michael Coates, said Victoria police would be using a range of aerial devices to attempt to find the suspected shooter amid tough weather conditions, including optical, infrared and thermal cameras on its helicopter as well as drones.
Probably the best asset for this search and rescue because of the foliage and the brush would be thermal. That’s a camera that can actually filter out the vegetation and show you what’s on the ground. With technology we can filter out things like kangaroos, wombats, sheep and cows, and identify the shape of the person either walking, running, or … hiding.
Coates said it was “very difficult” for people to disguise their thermal image, unless they went to hide in a cave or a large overhang.
There’s goldmines in the area. You can drop down into one of them if it’s vertical or go in on the side of the hill, and that would allow you to evade detection as long as you stay there [but] one day you’re going to have to come out.
It’s a horrible place to be at the moment with low cloud, rain, sleet. If you’re wet, you’ve got a good chance of dying within 24 hours, but if you’re tucked away in a cave somewhere, and you have got a stash of supplies … you could stay there for weeks.
Updated
Pets caught up in Porepunkah shutdown
Pets have been stuck on their own in Porepunkah as police continue to urge residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel.
The local vet, Alpine Animal Doctors, posted on social media that they had received calls from people whose pets were “stuck alone at the epicentre of the current situation”.
We completely understand how stressful and distressing this must feel. At this time, it remains an active situation, and the police already have a great deal to manage. We kindly ask the community to bear with us during this crisis and allow the authorities to do their jobs safely.
Please be reassured — as long as pets have access to water, they will be okay for the moment.
Meanwhile, the Porepunkah Pub said it was remaining closed for lunch for a third day following advice from Victoria police and would be “assessing tonight’s trade by this afternoon”.
Our staff have been instructed not to leave their homes, and their safety, along with that of our guests and wider community, remains our top priority.
Updated
Officers continue to search property
Officers are still at the property they have just searched on the outskirts of Porepunkah.
A fleet of seven police cars entered the property before officers, dressed fully in black and carrying guns, entered the dwellings. They have at least one dog with them.
They searched a caravan and a ute both parked next to the shed. They also entered the main house which is two storeys and looks out on to Mt Buffalo and the Buckland Valley.
The property is listed online as holiday accommodation for those “wanting the peace and quiet of a rural homestead”, sleeping up to six people across three bedrooms. According to its website, it has been booked out all month and remains occupied until this weekend. The person listed as the contact for the property could not be reached for comment.
Journalists have been cleared out of the area.
Updated
Armed officers enter shed near Porepunkah township
A group of armed officers have just entered a shed in a property outside Porepunkah.
The officers were seen leaving in convoy from the command centre before arriving at the property where they entered in single file, dressed in black and carrying guns.
They also searched a caravan on the property.
A group of plainclothes officers followed, who have just entered the shed.
More to come.
Updated
Helicopters return to land at Porepunkah
A police helicopter has just landed back at the operation command centre, which is located in a winery outside Porepunkah.
It was followed by an ambulance helicopter which landed just minutes later.
A group of camouflaged officers, believed to be from both Victoria police and the AFP, have been standing outside the main building for the last 30 minutes. They have at least one sniffer dog with them.
It’s an unusual scene – the rows of dormant vines punctuated by police vehicles and officers.
Police are not publicly announcing their search locations, but the Mount Buffalo national park, which the winery overlooks, is now closed to visitors.
On the park’s website, it says:
Mount Buffalo national park is closed to the public due to the ongoing Victoria Police incident at Porepunkah.
The park will reopen once the incident is resolved. We ask all visitors planning to visit the park to follow Victoria Police advice and avoid the area.
Updated
Thanks for sticking with us through the morning. Caitlin Cassidy is taking over the blog from here.
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Head of police federation says spread of sovereign citizen ideology a growing challenge for policing
Scott Weber, the head of the Police Federation of Australia, spoke to ABC News earlier and said he was struggling to understand the “horrific” murder of two officers earlier this week.
He said:
We cannot believe that we have had two police officers murdered yet again. It just brings home the nature of policing where we put on the uniform and go out there to keep the community safe, and sometimes we don’t go home.
Weber described a surge in so-called sovereign citizens since the pandemic, adding that the spread of the ideology has made policing more difficult:
Police are there to there to keep society safe and deal with all issues and that’s not only in enforcement, but also making sure people are safe. With these sovereign citizens, we find it extremely difficult because they don’t listen to a police officer’s words, their authority, and don’t obey instructions as well …
If you disagree with the rules, there’s a system to go through. It’s called the courts. Again, what we want is for people to, you know, respect the rule of law and when they have interactions with police officers, listen to their instructions and obey.
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Labor’s Dan Repacholi and Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie call for faster implementation of national firearm registry
There are growing calls from within parliament for the government to accelerate the implementation of a national firearm registry.
On the Today show earlier, Labor MP – and former Olympic shooter – Dan Repacholi and Nationals senator – and shooting enthusiast – Bridget McKenzie were on a joint ticket on accelerating a national register.
State, territory and federal governments agreed to establish a national firearms registry following a national cabinet meeting in December 2023, but it’s not due to take effect until 2028.
Repacholi said he knows the issue “intimately”, and that the work is happening to get the registry established.
We need to make sure that we know where our firearms are in this country … We’ve got to get the states and territories to all work together because they’re the ones that ultimately look after firearms registrations for their states.
McKenzie said a registry is needed but it must be secure.
When Dan, as an Olympian and a Commonwealth Games shooting athlete, goes to compete in different states, it’s a problem. If we had Albury police head down to Porepunkah, being from NSW, they might not have been able to appreciate that this guy had firearms. So we do need a national firearms register.
We don’t need law-abiding firearm owners like Dan and I’s personal details leaked like we’ve seen from some states, because then organised crime can come and get our firearms. So we need it to be secure.
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Inside the ‘sovereign citizen’ movement
According to Dezi Freeman’s online footprint, he has displayed a lot of behaviour that connects him with the so-called “sovereign citizen” movement.
Our reporter, Ariel Bogle, wrote a book – Conspiracy Nation – about the growth of “pseudolaw” beliefs and how they have spread in Australia so she is well placed to shed light on the movement and what motivates its adherents.
A legal expert at UNSW tells her:
The ideology has this narrative that the law was once good and just and looked after people and protected our individual rights. But at some point it was corrupted and some evil tyrannical system has taken over.
Read her fascinating piece here:
Updated
Police ask residents in Porepunkah area to stay indoors if they can
Police have sent another text message to everyone in the area, asking them to stay indoors and not to approach the gunman if they come across him.
It reads:
Message from Victoria Police. Specialist police continue to search for Desmond Freeman (Filby) who is armed and dangerous. Multiple police units remain in the general area of Porepunkah.
If you see Desmond, call 000 immediately and do not approach him. Restrict non-essential travel and remain indoors with buildings and vehicles locked where possible. Roadblocks may be in place.
Updated
Conditions in Porepunkah today are cold and rainy, with snow on the horizon in alpine zones
There’s been a lot of chatter this morning about how the poor weather will impact the search.
While the Alpine region saw snowfall overnight, the mountains are hidden from the centre of Porepunkah by a blanket of thick low cloud.
Normally, Mt Buffalo and the dense bushland at its base are visible from the winery that has become the operation centre, but this morning it has been completely covered.
One resident commented that the thick snowfall would be great if you wanted to ski today, but “not for those out there searching”.
It’s cold and wet – residents and journalists who are out are wrapped up in puffers, while police are patrolling in rain jackets.
The Bureau of Meteorology is recording a high of 9C in the town today, with rain throughout the day. On Thursday, more snow is forecast to fall above 900 metres.
Updated
Porepunkah returns to a bit of normality as manhunt continues
While police continue their search for Dezi Freeman, residents of Porepunkah have started to return to normal life after spending yesterday in lockdown. Porepunkah primary school reopened, with a stream of parents dropping off their children.
There was a small police presence at the school and several TV crews as kids filed in for the day.
Local cafes are also starting to open up, with one resident saying:
We’ve got to pay rent. People have got to eat, have a warm place to go. We made sure our staff were comfortable.
While locals grabbed their coffees, they caught up on personal news – a new baby, a trip away – but the conversations returned to the search.
One resident said he suspected Freeman could be over Mount Buffalo by now:
If you’re fit, you can get up there in a few hours. He’s gone.
Updated
Victoria police minister says Freeman will be ‘held accountable’
Carbines said the officers killed earlier this week had been “shot down in cold blood doing their job” and Freeman would be “held accountable”. He added the police and their families are “hurting”:
People who’ve served previously understand and feel these matters acutely. But when you go online … or you go past police stations, you see Victorians are laying floral tributes, they’re donating to Police Legacy to support families, they’re visiting the police memorial, and people are doing what they can to demonstrate their support and their appreciation for their police.
Updated
Police commissioner has not asked for extra financial support, minister says
Anthony Carbines said earlier the police commissioner, Mike Bush, hasn’t asked for any additional financial support and noted interstate police have provided “a lot of technical and specialised” assistance.
Asked by host Raf Epstein if police had requested support of the special operations group before executing a search warrant at Freeman’s property in Porepunkah on Tuesday, Carbines said:
They do risk assessments when they issue warrants, and that’s been determined. Of course, we’ve got two things happening right now. One is an active police operation to arrest and bring into custody an armed offender. And we’ve also got a crime scene where police have lost their lives and others have been seriously injured.
And so those two elements are being investigated now, and I won’t speak … on how we’ve got ourselves to this point. We’ll let the investigations go where the evidence takes them.
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Victoria police minister says search for Freeman will have ‘anything’ it needs
Victoria’s police minister, Anthony Carbines, was on ABC Radio Melbourne earlier to provide an update on the search for Dezi Freeman.
He said police are “throwing everything” at finding the “dangerous, armed offender at large”. Carbines added:
We’ve been very clear to the chief – anything he needs, he’ll have. He’s also been clear to us that they are drawing on every resource they have. They also had great support and offers of assistance from interstate police services, and I know the chief’s looking to leverage that where appropriate.
That’s just everyone coming together to throw everything at supporting our police service at this time.
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Police return to property at centre of crime scene
One resident of the property where Dezi Freeman lived was being blocked from entering it this morning.
He said he could mot say any more and did not own the property, but that he had tried to get in to get his belongings and had been blocked by police.
Earlier the area up to the property was clear, but it is now being patrolled by police.
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Victorian high country could see blast of snow in coming days
Alpine parts of Victoria saw a fresh blanket of snow overnight, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning one of the strongest and widespread cold outbreaks of the winter season will soon move across the state in the coming days.
Helen Reid, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said snow is expected to be a big part of a cold weather system moving across south-eastern Australia. The system could dump large amounts of snow – up to half a metre – over Alpine mountains near the Victoria-NSW border.
Reid added that snow could fall to very low levels over the next few days, about 600 metres in Victoria.
Parts of Mount Buffalo national park, in Victoria’s high country near Porepunkah, are about 1,300 to 1,500 metres in elevation.
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Rain expected in Porepunkah today
With the roadblock lifted, police are now stationed at the operational headquarters in a winery near Feathertop.
There is a heavy presence in the area with the homicide squad, armed crime squad, fugitive squad, special operations group and critical incident response team on the ground.
Up to 27 millimetres of rain is expected for the area today.
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Roadblocks around property cleared
The road to the property Dezi Freeman lived in was at the centre of the action yesterday with the police roadblock, a helicopter flying overhead and several loud popping noises heard in the area.
This morning, access to the property is completely restored. A red car that had blocked the driveway has been driven to the side and there are no police around.
Police have told the ABC there has been no sightings of Freeman since Tuesday when he ran into the bush, despite the roadblock near the property he lived in.
It is cold and overcast up here, making the search today difficult.
Police have warned people and the media not to go near the old property: the current advice to the broader Porepunkah area is for people to stay indoors for their own safety.
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It’s quiet in Porepunkah this morning
The police roadblock that was stopping cars entering the area around the property where gunman Dezi Freeman was living has ended.
Last night a huge convoy of cars were seen leaving the area just house after loud popping sounds were heard.
We are expecting police to make a statement today, and will update when we have more.
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Victoria police urge local residents to remain vigilant
Victoria police said last night that public safety in the Porepunkah area remained its major priority as they continue to search for Freeman. Authorities were urging those in the area to remain vigilant and stay indoors where possible as the search continues.
Police said:
There has been extensive support received from our partner agencies and while for operational reasons we cannot go into all the specifics of the search, rest assured the police response is dedicated and substantial.
Police continue to advise people to remain vigilant and stay indoors where possible while the search for this suspect continues.
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Who is Dezi Freeman?
In case you missed it, our reporters have been finding out more about Dezi Freeman, his life on the sprawling rural property on the edge of the town, and what might have forged his apparent anti-authority beliefs.
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Good morning, Nick Visser here to take over the live blog. I’ll be bringing you updates throughout the morning.
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Victorian parliament house lit up in blue
Prominent Melbourne buildings, including state parliament, were be lit up in blue overnight as a tribute to the dead police officers.
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, announced the move yesterday, expressing her deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the two officers.
She said:
It’s a very physical way that we can say to the men and women of Victoria police, we stand with you, we support you, we care for you, we love you, particularly in this time of grief.
In Wangaratta, down the road from Porepunkah, people have decorated the foyer of the town’s police station with bouquets of flowers in memory of the fallen policemen.
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As the search for Dezi Freeman nears the 48-hour mark, our reporters have been reporting from the scene in Porepunkah.
The normally quiet, idyllic Victorian high country town has become the focus of national attention with helicopters buzzing overhead and police officers swarming the local bushland.
One local who knew Dezi Freeman told us that the fugitive was a “new age Ned Kelly” who would be “pretty handy in the bush” even with up to a metre of snow forecast for the region over the next three days.
Another said: “It’s not some conspiracy theorist town. What’s happened – in any place [it would be] so far out of the ordinary. So it’s quite surreal really.”
Read the whole article here:
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Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the hunt for the Porepunkah shooting suspect, Dezi Freeman.
The search goes into its third day today with police still camped in the small Victorian high country town to search bushland around the property where detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson, 59, and senior constable Vadim de Waart, 35, were allegedly killed by Dezi Freeman on Tuesday morning. We’ll have the latest on the search in a moment.
Victoria’s Parliament House has been lit up in blue in tribute to the dead officers with state premier, Jacinta Allan, saying it was a way of paying physical tribute to the men. More coming up.
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