Porepunkah, Victoria – Police conducted firearms testing near Porepunkah on Wednesday following reports of a gunshot heard in the vicinity of a property linked to Dezi Freeman, a man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of two police officers in August.
The testing took place around Barrett Lane and Rayner Track, approximately where Mr. Freeman was last seen fleeing on foot after an alleged attack on police executing a warrant at his Rayner Track property around 10:30 am on August 26th. Detective leading senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed during the incident, and a third officer was seriously injured.
Mr. Freeman remains at large, and a $1 million reward remains in place for information leading to his arrest.Despite extensive searches, police have found no trace of him.Investigators are hopeful the firearms testing will aid the ongoing search and are appealing for anyone who heard the gunshot - including those who may believe they fired it – to come forward.
A new taskforce assumed leadership of the search last month, focusing on Victoria’s north-east region.
Anyone who spots Mr. Freeman is urged to call triple-0 immediatly and not approach him. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers online or by phone at 1800 333 000.