Two men have been arrested as police continue to investigate the movements of Dezi Freeman, the shooter who killed two police officers in Porepunkah in August 2025. Victoria and NSW police searched seven properties on Tuesday, uncovering evidence that Freeman likely travelled between the two states during his seven months on the run.
Freeman died on 30 March after being shot by police on a remote property in Thologolong, near the Victoria-NSW border. Police believe he received assistance from multiple people during that time. The arrests were made as part of Operation Summit, which is probing Freeman's activities after the shootings.
Warrants were executed at rural properties in Buckland, Stanley, and Lucyvale in Victoria, as well as in Greenwich Park, Tarlo, Wombeyan Caves, and Umina Beach in NSW. A 64-year-old man from Lucyvale was arrested in Wodonga and later released pending further investigation. A 47-year-old man from Wombeyan Caves was arrested on unrelated warrants.
Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini said the investigation continues despite Freeman's death. “We are looking to identify and hold to account those people who provided support to harbour a wanted fugitive,” he said. Police seized electronic devices and are speaking to individuals at the searched properties.
Freeman killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, and injured a third officer while police were serving a search warrant at a property in Porepunkah. Freeman, who had ties to pseudolaw ideology, fled heavily armed, sparking a high-profile manhunt.
