Australian police announce new search for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman

Police have conducted several searches for the alleged fugitive. Photo / Andrew Henshaw, NewsWire

Police in Australia have launched a new five-day search in the hunt for fugitive and alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman.

Desmond “Dezi” Freeman, 56, has not been seen since the fatal shooting of two police officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, as they executed a search warrant in Porepunkah on August 26, 2025.

A third officer was seriously injured in the shooting.

Police confirmed they would carry out a new targeted search of Mount Buffalo National Park in search for the alleged gunman.

Freeman is believed to have fled on foot into dense bushland armed with guns.

An A$1 million ($1.1m) reward has been offered for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of the self-described “sovereign citizen”.

The alleged cop killer has been on the run since August 26, 2025. Photo / Jason Edwards, NewsWire

The new search is one of several targeted efforts to track Freeman down.

A similar search of the national park took place in December last year, with police scouring the land for his remains.

“Search teams were focused on identifying and locating evidence or the body of Freeman,” police said in December.

The search encompassed 0.8862sq km of dense bushland and heavy terrain, with officers conducting line searches and clearing caves.

Crews from the Eastern Region, Search and Rescue, Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), drone unit and the dog squad, as well as two NSW Police Force cadaver dogs, were called in as part of the search.

The new search will encompass the Mount Buffalo National Park. Photo / Andrew Henshaw, NewsWire

Police have also undertaken extensive air searches of the park.

Since the shooting, police have investigated 1950 pieces of intelligence, including information from the public.

“The devastating loss of Neal and Vadim has struck at the heart of Victoria Police and had an enormous impact on the Porepunkah community,” Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said at the time.

“I want to reaffirm to the community that Victoria Police remains committed to doing everything we can – using every available resource and the necessary capabilities – to locate Desmond Freeman.

“We will maintain a presence in the community, and we are determined we will see this to resolution.”

Anyone who sees Freeman has been urged to not approach him and call triple-0 immediately.

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