An armed ‘sovereign citizen’ who allegedly shot dead two police officers execution-style and wounded another at a rural property north-west of Melbourne has chilling similarities to a tragedy that claimed six lives almost three years ago.
Dezi Freeman, 56, is allegedly on the run with his wife and two children following the shooting at a farm near Porepunkah at the base of Mount Buffalo in Victoria’s alpine region.
Officers attended the property to reportedly carry out a warrant for historical sex abuse allegations on Tuesday morning.
The gunman, who lives in a bus with his family on the property, allegedly shot dead two of the officers with a shotgun as they entered the vehicle.
Queensland Police have offered assistance and support to their Victorian counterparts, less than three years after losing two of their own in eerily similar circumstances in Wieambilla.
Conspiracy theorist Gareth Train, his wife Stacey, and his brother Nathaniel, gunned down Queensland constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, during an ambush on a rural property in the Western Downs area, west of Brisbane on December 12, 2022.
The officers were shot at close range within ten minutes of entering the property to conduct a welfare check on Nathaniel, who was reported missing at the time.
Two other constables – Keely Brough and Randall Kirk – escaped the initial ambush when their colleagues were killed.
Good Samaritan neighbour Alan Dare, who lived nearby, was also murdered by the Trains when he came to investigate after he spotted smoke billowing from the property.
The Trains were subsequently killed in a gunfight with police that night.
Tuesday’s tragedy has rocked the police community across .
‘There is tragic news from Victoria today that will be felt across the national police family,’ Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior wrote to officers on Tuesday.
‘The death of two police officers and a third injured by an offender with a firearm on a rural property 300km from Melbourne will be confronting and deeply distressing for many of our Queensland colleagues.
‘I have spoken directly with the Victoria Police Association to offer our full assistance and support during this critical time. I want our members to know, myself and the QPU Regional Reps are here for you.
‘It’s a reminder that every job we attend can be unpredictable and volatile. My priority is for all our members to return home safely to their loved ones.
‘If this incident stirs strong emotions for you, I encourage you to speak with your trusted colleagues and friends or seek professional assistance.’
NSW Police posted online: ‘Our heartfelt condolences go out to Victoria Police following the tragic loss of two officers today. We also send our support to the third officer who was seriously injured.
‘Our thoughts are with their families, friends, colleagues, and the entire community as they navigate this profoundly difficult time.’
Western Police Commissioner Col Blanch also extended his deepest condolences on behalf of his officers.
‘To the friends and loved ones of those brave officers who were killed in the line of duty, we grieve with you,’ he said.
‘To the officer seriously injured, and to your friends and loved ones, we say thank you for your sacrifice. We know the blue family in VICPOL will wrap their arms around those affected.
‘Thank you to all of you, for what you do and the sacrifices you and your families make keeping your community safe. WAPOL stands with you and grieves with you.’