Dezi Freeman yelled abuse at a dying police officer during a shooting that killed two Victoria Police officers, a coroner has heard. The details emerged during a directions hearing at the Victorian Coroners Court on Monday, concerning the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35.
The incident occurred on 26 August at a converted bus in Porepunkah, where Freeman lived with his family. Police attended to execute a search warrant following an alleged sexual assault of a child under 16 and an attempt to involve a child in the production of child abuse material. Freeman refused to exit the bus, telling police they 'could go to hell'. After officers showed him the warrant, he described it as 'bullshit'.
When Thompson entered the bus through a window, Freeman shot him in the face and neck. Freeman then shot Waart-Hottart as other officers ran for cover. Returning to the bus, Freeman swore over the bodies, yelling 'Fucking scum, die in hell' at police, before firing Waart-Hottart's firearm at Thompson again. He also fired at a third officer, injuring them, before fleeing towards a river.
Freeman was shot dead by police seven months later, on 30 March, at a makeshift campsite in Thologolong, about 150km away. Police Commissioner Mike Bush has stated the shooting was justified. The inquest into the officers' deaths will continue, with further hearings to determine the scope and witnesses.
