Following the tragic shooting deaths of two police officers during a routine operation in the town of Porepunkah, Victoria, the incident has garnered national attention. Dezi Bird Freeman, 56, who considers himself a sovereign citizen, is the man at the heart of this tragedy.
Victoria Police is urgently looking for Dezi Freeman (also, and members of the public are advised that if he is seen anywhere, they should immediately call 000.
Disclaimer: “This article is based on publicly available information and is for informational purposes only.”
Who is Dezi Freeman?
Dezi Freeman, also previously known as Desmond Christopher Filby, is a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen. He is part of a fringe movement that rejects the authority of government, police, and legal systems. Freeman has a history of anti-government statements, once describing police as “Gestapo” and “terrorist thugs”.
He was even arrested in 2021 during an anti-lockdown demonstration, and he has been connected to a number of anti-mandate activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Freeman’s belief in pseudolegal arguments was further demonstrated when he tried to file a private treason case against a former Victorian premier.
The Tragedy of Porepunkah
Police showed up at Freeman’s rural property on August 26, 2025, to serve a warrant for the prohibition of firearms. This was connected to current inquiries into past accusations. Freeman allegedly ambushed the officers rather than cooperate.
Leading Detective During the assault, Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, and Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, were shot and killed. Despite being injured, a third officer lived. One of the biggest manhunts in recent Victorian history was sparked by the shocking attack, which stunned both law enforcement and the general public.
The Manhunt
Freeman escaped into the thick bushland close to Mount Buffalo after the shootings. He has escaped capture and is well-known for having a lot of weapons and excellent survival skills. He is being sought by police tactical teams, helicopters, and drones; local communities are being asked to remain indoors while the search is underway.
The difficulties of pursuing suspects with both survival training and strong ideological motivations have been brought to light by the manhunt. To aid in the search, authorities have established no-fly zones and strictly enforced safety zones.
The Sovereign Citizen Movement
A loosely organized ideology, the sovereign citizen movement opposes the power of governments, laws, and courts. Its adherents frequently reject official documents like licenses or tax obligations in favor of pseudolegal defenses.
This movement has become more popular in Australia in recent years, especially during the pandemic when anti-mandate demonstrations served as a great recruiting opportunity. Because followers have occasionally resorted to violence in the past, authorities view it as a domestic security risk.
