Dezi Freeman police shooting: More arrests after raids across Victoria and NSW
Victoria Police are investigating potential accomplices who may have assisted fugitive Freeman in evading authorities for seven months following the murders of officers Cadim De Waart-Hottart and Neal Thompson. Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini confirmed the force is actively seeking to identify those who provided the support necessary for Freeman to survive in the bush before his death in March.
Why is the investigation continuing after the suspect’s death?
The investigation remains active because police suspect Freeman could not have maintained his evasion for seven months without external help. According to Detective Inspector Gasparini, the force is obligated to provide answers to the families of the fallen officers and the broader Porepunkah community. Police are specifically looking to identify individuals who may have committed criminal offenses by harboring a wanted fugitive, as they believe the suspect required significant logistical support to survive in the remote terrain.
Police marksmen fired more than 20 shots during the final standoff with Freeman at a shipping container in northeast Victoria. This conclusion to the seven-month manhunt marked the end of a significant, high-profile operation for the state.
How are authorities tracking potential accomplices?
Detectives are currently reviewing evidence gathered during the months Freeman spent on the run to pinpoint his movements and contacts. Last month, authorities conducted operations in the state’s northwest, interviewing two men aged 48 and 45. While those individuals were released without charge, Victoria Police maintain that the investigation into those who provided aid is ongoing, according to official statements from the department.
What are the legal implications for those who assisted a fugitive?
Individuals found to have provided shelter, food, or navigation to a wanted murderer face potential prosecution for serious criminal offenses. Legal precedents in Victoria suggest that “harboring a fugitive” can lead to significant jail time, depending on the level of assistance provided. As the state moves toward two separate coronial inquests—one for the murdered officers and one for Freeman—prosecutors may use these proceedings to establish a timeline of criminal complicity.
Follow the official Victoria Police news portal for verified updates on the upcoming coronial inquests and any future charges laid in connection with this investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a reward for information regarding Freeman’s accomplices? Police have not publicly announced a reward, but they are actively appealing to the public for information regarding anyone who assisted Freeman.
- Why are there two separate inquests? The state is conducting separate coronial inquests to ensure a thorough, independent review of the deaths of officers De Waart-Hottart and Thompson, alongside a separate investigation into the circumstances of Freeman’s death.
- Are the two men arrested last month still under suspicion? Police interviewed the two men, but they were released pending further investigation without charges being filed at this time.
Do you have information regarding this investigation? Contact your local police or Crime Stoppers to provide assistance to the ongoing inquiry. For more updates on this case and other major investigations, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.