Search Intensifies, Answers Remain Elusive Three Months After Porepunkah Shooting
Porepunkah, Victoria – Three months have passed since Dezi Freeman fled into bushland following a shooting near Porepunkah, and his whereabouts remain unknown, fueling speculation and calls for a formal inquest. The incident,which began with a confrontation with police on Buckland Valley Road on September 23rd,has left the local community grappling with unanswered questions and a growing sense of unease.
The lack of resolution – and freeman’s body – is prompting concern about the effectiveness of the initial search,the spread of misinformation,and potential systemic failures in identifying and managing individuals who pose threats.Residents near the Rayner Track, where Freeman was last seen, report an initial intensive police presence that has as diminished, punctuated only by recent “firearms testing.” The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in responding to individuals with a history of threats and underscores the need for a thorough understanding of the factors that contributed to this unfolding situation.
Mick, a local resident who asked to have his name changed for privacy, described Freeman as someone who “just got things done… that’s how he got stuff done.” Following the shooting, the Rayner Track saw increased police activity, though Mick noted the densest bushland leading towards Mount Buffalo national park was largely left unsearched in the initial days. Jill, also requesting anonymity, stated she believes it unlikely Freeman could have died in the area without his body being discovered.
The prolonged uncertainty has given rise to unsubstantiated claims, including theories that the shooting never occurred or was a staged event.Gerard Gill,a researcher with Deakin University’s Addressing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation to Terrorism (Avert) network,is tracking the proliferation of these theories. He argues that an inquest is crucial to dispel myths and determine the threats posed by individuals like freeman.
“We’re trying to understand this as a social problem and community problem, as well as a policing problem, but if it’s become a policing problem it’s gone too far,” Gill said. “That’s what inquests can unpack.” he also believes an inquest could reveal why Freeman was not previously flagged by federal authorities, despite prior threats made against law enforcement.
