Victoria Police have launched a new line of inquiry in their extensive search for alleged police killer Desmond "Dezi" Freeman, following reports of a single gunshot heard in the Porepunkah bushland.
Fresh Evidence in Long-Running Manhunt
Authorities conducted "firearms testing" near Barrett Lane and Rayner Track in Porepunkah on Wednesday, approximately 300km north-east of Melbourne. This forensic examination was triggered by witness accounts of a gunshot heard at around 11.45 am on 26 August - just over an hour after Freeman allegedly fled into the dense bushland.
The testing area has already been searched by police teams, though no direct trace of Freeman was discovered. Investigators remain hopeful that the ballistic analysis might provide crucial clues in what has become one of Victoria's most extensive police operations.
Tragic Origins of the Manhunt
The search for Freeman began after a violent confrontation at his Porepunkah property on August 26. At approximately 10.30 am, ten police officers arrived to serve a warrant when they were met with gunfire.
The shooting tragically claimed the lives of Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, while seriously injuring a third officer. Freeman subsequently escaped into the surrounding rugged terrain, sparking a massive manhunt that has now stretched for months.
Unprecedented Police Response
The operation has seen hundreds of officers and specialist resources deployed, including interstate and international crews scouring the challenging landscape. Despite investigating more than 1,700 tip-offs, there have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman since his disappearance.
Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Freeman's fate, stating: "Is he still alive? We don't know. Is he alive and still in the area? We have no real information to suggest that. Or has he been unable to leave the area and is being looked after by others? We don't know."
The scale of the search was reduced to over 200 officers in September, with Mount Buffalo National Park reopening to the public in late October after extensive sweeps.
Substantial Reward and Public Warning
Victoria Police have taken the extraordinary step of offering a £1 million reward - the largest in the state's history for facilitating an arrest - along with potential indemnity for information leading to Freeman's capture.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance among local residents, warning that Freeman should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached under any circumstances.
Police are particularly keen to speak with anyone who may have heard the reported gunshot around 11.45 am on August 26, or any members of the public who were in the Porepunkah area at that time.
