Dezi Freeman, the fugitive cop killer who spent six months on the run after fatally shooting two police officers, was tracked down and shot dead on Monday morning at a property in regional Victoria.
For months, Victoria Police combed through the dense bushland near his Porepunkah home near Mount Buffalo National Park.
Around 200km north-east of Freeman’s Porepunkah home, the fugitive was finally found in Thologolong.
On Monday, Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush described the location where they found Freeman as a “cross between a container and a very long caravan”.
He said police had attempted to coax Freeman out of his hiding place.
“There was an appeal to encourage the person to come out. We’re examining the sequence of events,” Mr Bush said.
“There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not.
“We strongly believe, yet to be confirmed, that he was armed.”
Later, Mr Bush said it was his understanding that Freeman had exited his hideout wrapped in a blanket armed with a gun.
“The shooting occurred at the property shortly after 8.30am following a stand-off of several hours with police, including members of the Special Operations Group and detectives from Taskforce Summit,” a Victoria Police statement said.
“Police rendered assistance however the man died at the scene.”
The first images of the hideout show a rubbish-tip like set up in the middle of a paddock, surrounded by a small gathering of trees.
It appears to be made up of three shipping containers in close proximity with a small awning fashioned out of a tarp and a few poles on the middle grey container.
Outside the containers, plastic barrels and junk were scattered around, with tarps, rusted metal and a wheelbarrow.
A metal water tank, as well as smaller plastic tanks, could be seen in the vicinity of the containers, as well as an upside-down small boat and a tractor.
It is believed that inside the container, a makeshift home had been set up.
The rural property where Freeman was found sits isolated with no nearby homes.
Someone who claimed to be close to the area told the Herald Sun they heard police attempting to negotiate with Freeman using a megaphone, with one sole gunshot later heard.
Other reports have suggested their were multiple shots fired.
More to come..
https://thewest.com.au/news/vic/where-was-dezi-freeman-shot-first-pictures-of-hideout-where-porepunkah-cop-killer-refused-to-surrender-c-22068716
