Australian Police Continue Search for Suspected Gunman in Challenging Weather Conditions
Law enforcement officials are entering the fifth day of the search for a gunman who allegedly shot two officers and injured another in Victoria state.
SYDNEY: Australian police are intensifying their efforts to locate 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, who has been on the run since Tuesday after allegedly shooting dead two officers and injuring another at a rural property in Victoria.
The search, now in its fifth day, is taking place in difficult alpine weather conditions, with cold temperatures, strong winds, and snowfall affecting the area.
The search area encompasses the town of Porepunkah, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, where Freeman initially fled into the dense bush after the incident.
A severe weather warning has been issued for the region, as forecasters predict a particularly cold night with possible black ice formation on roads.
Minimum temperatures are expected to drop to 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) in Porepunkah on Sunday, according to meteorological data provided by authorities.
The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, visited the Wangaratta police station to pay tribute to the two slain officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35.
She emphasized the scale of the operation being conducted by law enforcement agencies to apprehend Freeman.
The incident occurred when a team of 10 police officers, including members from the sexual offenses and child investigation unit, arrived at Freeman's property to execute a search warrant.
He allegedly opened fire on them, leading to the fatal shooting of two officers and the injury of another.
Local media reports suggest that authorities believe Freeman identifies as a 'sovereign citizen,' a group known for their belief in the illegitimacy of government institutions.
The search, now in its fifth day, is taking place in difficult alpine weather conditions, with cold temperatures, strong winds, and snowfall affecting the area.
The search area encompasses the town of Porepunkah, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, where Freeman initially fled into the dense bush after the incident.
A severe weather warning has been issued for the region, as forecasters predict a particularly cold night with possible black ice formation on roads.
Minimum temperatures are expected to drop to 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) in Porepunkah on Sunday, according to meteorological data provided by authorities.
The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, visited the Wangaratta police station to pay tribute to the two slain officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35.
She emphasized the scale of the operation being conducted by law enforcement agencies to apprehend Freeman.
The incident occurred when a team of 10 police officers, including members from the sexual offenses and child investigation unit, arrived at Freeman's property to execute a search warrant.
He allegedly opened fire on them, leading to the fatal shooting of two officers and the injury of another.
Local media reports suggest that authorities believe Freeman identifies as a 'sovereign citizen,' a group known for their belief in the illegitimacy of government institutions.
