Victoria police have confirmed that two people arrested during the search for alleged Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman were his wife and teenage son.
A 42-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy were taken into custody during a raid on a Porepunkah home Thursday night. Both were interviewed by police and subsequently released. The woman has been identified as Mali Freeman, the suspected gunman’s wife.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush revealed the arrests during a Friday press conference but did not provide further details about the reasons behind the detentions. “People were interviewed totally and specifically in relation to the homicide investigation,” he said.
The search for 56-year-old Dezi Freeman entered its fourth day with over 450 officers deployed across northeast Victoria’s alpine region. Freeman is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of two police officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart, and the injury of a third. The shootings occurred during a police search warrant execution for historical sex offenses on Freeman’s property.
The injured officer has undergone surgery and remains in recovery. Although the lockdown in Porepunkah has been lifted, authorities continue to urge residents to stay alert.
Initially, police believed Freeman was hiding in nearby bushland, but the “dangerous person” alert on the VicEmergency website has now been expanded as far west as Nagambie, roughly 200 km away.
Commissioner Bush explained that the search area is based on police intelligence and has been extended as they avoid making assumptions. Special operators from the Australian Federal Police are also assisting in the manhunt.
“We have every resource required for this horrific homicide,” Bush said, assuring the public of a coordinated effort to safely apprehend Freeman. The commissioner also noted that alleged sightings of Freeman are being investigated but could not confirm any details.
Authorities believe Freeman remains armed and continue to warn locals to be cautious.
No links to terrorism have been identified, though Bush confirmed that “all avenues and charges” will be pursued once Freeman is captured.
