Manhunt for ‘sovereign citizen’ in rural Australia after two police officers shot dead
Two police officers killed, third injured while serving warrant
- Two Victoria police officers were killed and a third seriously injured while serving a warrant linked to historical sex offences in rural Australia on Tuesday morning.
- A manhunt is underway for the 56-year-old suspect, Dezi Freeman, who describes himself as a “sovereign citizen” and is considered “very dangerous” and armed.
- The incident occurred in Porepunkah, Victoria, leading to a town-wide alert, a large police presence, and the lockdown of a nearby school.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan paid tribute to the officers’ bravery and vowed that the suspect would be apprehended.
- Mr Albanese highlighted the serious threat posed by “sovereign citizen” and other extremist ideologies, noting warnings from ASIO about far-right extremism.