The Porepunkah police shootings have shocked Australia as two officers were fatally shot while executing a search warrant at a rural property. The tragedy unfolded shortly after 10:30 am on Tuesday, 26 August, when a group of 10 police members came under attack at a Rayner Track location. Victoria Police have identified the victims as 59-year-old Detective Neal Thompson, a local officer approaching retirement, and 35-year-old Senior Constable Vadim De Waart. Additionally, a 56-year-old male detective, leading a senior constable, remains hospitalised after sustaining injuries to his lower body.
Meanwhile, the search for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman, previously known as Desmond Filby, has entered its sixth day. Hundreds of police officers, along with dogs and helicopters, have been scouring dense bushland in freezing conditions across Victoria. Despite these extensive efforts, authorities warn that Freeman is “heavily armed” and “still at large”. Furthermore, this violent incident has deeply affected the peaceful Alpine tourist community of Porepunkah, home to approximately 1,000 residents, who now fear their town will be forever defined by this police shooting.
Police Confirm Two Officers Killed
Victoria Police have officially released the identities of the two officers killed during the tragic incident in Porepunkah on 26 August 2025. The shooting occurred when ten police members attended a rural property on Rayner Track shortly after 10:30 am to execute a search warrant.
Detectives Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart Identified
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, had served with Victoria Police for nearly 40 years. Thompson joined the force in 1987 and worked across several roles, including general duties at Collingwood station, the major fraud squad, and the state crime squad, before taking his post at the Wangaratta criminal investigation unit in 2007. Described as an adventurer who enjoyed outdoor activities, Thompson was planning for his imminent retirement with his partner, Lisa, with whom he had built a new home.
Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, had been with Victoria Police for seven years. The Belgian-born officer joined the force in December 2018, working at St Kilda station for three years before joining the Public Order Response Team in April 2023. Fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Flemish, De Waart was an avid traveller and had recently achieved the milestone of purchasing his first home in Melbourne.
Third Officer Injured and Recovering
A third officer, a 56-year-old male detective leading a senior constable, was seriously injured after being shot in the lower body during the incident. The wounded officer was flown to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he underwent surgery. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush described the officer as “significantly damaged” but confirmed he would make a recovery. As of Thursday morning, the officer remained stable.
Search Warrant Execution Turns Deadly
The fatal confrontation unfolded when ten Victoria Police officers, comprising local officers and members of the sexual offences and child abuse investigation team, attended the property to execute a search warrant. The warrant was related to a firearms prohibition order concerning sexual offences against a child under 16 that allegedly took place within the past two years.
According to reports, the officers began searching an abandoned bus on the property before they were ambushed and subjected to heavy gunfire. Thompson, who had previously established rapport with Freeman, was the first to knock on Freeman’s door, where he was shot and killed. Subsequently, De Waart was also fatally shot, and the third officer was wounded.
Chief Commissioner Bush described the incident as murder “in cold blood”. Following the shooting, the alleged perpetrator, Dezi Freeman, fled into nearby bushland.
Manhunt for Armed Fugitive Dezi Freeman
A massive police operation commenced immediately after Dezi Freeman fled his Porepunkah property on Tuesday, 26 August. The search is now entering its seventh day with no confirmed sightings of the alleged gunman.
Suspect Flees into Bushland
Freeman vanished into dense bushland bordering his Rayner Track property shortly after 10:30 am, following the fatal shooting of two officers. As an experienced bushman, Freeman’s knowledge of the local terrain has presented significant challenges for search teams. Police believe the 56-year-old suspect is heavily armed and should not be approached by the public.
Police Deploy Helicopters, Dogs, and Tactical Units
Authorities have mobilised more than 450 officers for the search operation. The manhunt includes specialist resources from Victoria Police alongside support teams from New South Wales, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. Throughout the week, police have deployed armoured Bearcat vehicles, helicopters with thermal imaging capabilities, tactical units, and dog squads to scour the rugged landscape.
Public Urged to Stay Indoors and Report Sightings
Residents in Porepunkah and surrounding areas have been instructed to limit travel to essential activities only. Superintendent Brett Kahan confirmed on Monday that police believe Freeman is receiving assistance from others in the community. “You are committing an extremely serious crime by harbouring or assisting in the escape of Dezi Freeman,” Kahan warned.
Police Victoria Issues Safety Alerts
An emergency alert issued to locals remains active, with police establishing an information caravan in Bright where community members can report sightings or express concerns. Freeman was last seen wearing dark green tracksuit pants, a rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses. Authorities continue to urge anyone who spots the fugitive to call triple-0 immediately rather than approaching him.
Investigators Link Freeman to Sovereign Citizen Ideology
Investigations into the Porepunkah police shootings have uncovered the suspect’s deep connections to the “sovereign citizen” movement, an anti-government ideology that rejects state authority.
Freeman’s Anti-Government Beliefs Documented in Court
Court records reveal Freeman’s long history of confrontation with authorities. In 2019, he attempted to arrest a Victorian magistrate during a dispute over public access to a national park. Later, in a 2024 Supreme Court case, Freeman compared police to Nazi soldiers, stating, “Even the sight of a cop or a cop car … it’s like an Auschwitz survivor seeing a Nazi soldier”. His hostility escalated when he called officers “terrorist thugs,” “frigging Nazis”, and “Gestapo” in court documents.
Experts Warn of Rising Extremism in Australia
Experts note the sovereign citizen movement has grown substantially since the pandemic. “Post COVID, the sovereign citizen movement isn’t fringe anymore,” observed Professor Heilpern. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess highlighted the threat in 2022, describing sovereign citizens as “angry and alienated Australians” with the potential for violence. Unfortunately, experts warn that once adherents decide laws are optional, violence becomes increasingly likely.
Comparison to the 2022 Wieambilla Ambush
Security analysts have identified “remarkable parallels” between the Porepunkah incident and the 2022 Wieambilla shootings, where Queensland constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were killed. Notably, both incidents involved rural properties, anti-government extremists, and targeted ambushes of police. Consequently, experts suggest both cases reflect a concerning pattern of sovereign citizen violence emerging across Australia.
Community Mourns Officers
In the wake of the Porepunkah police shootings, the small Alpine town finds itself grappling with profound grief alongside mounting anxiety about its future.
Residents Express Grief and Fear
Throughout the tight-knit community, mourners have left flowers and messages at impromptu memorials. One resident stated, “Our town will never be the same after this senseless violence.” Many families are keeping children indoors as the search continues, with streets remaining unusually quiet. School attendance has dropped markedly as parents opt to keep youngsters at home until the suspect is apprehended.
Local Businesses Support Emergency Services
Several establishments have opened their doors to police and emergency personnel, offering free meals and accommodation. The Porepunkah Hotel has transformed its function room into a rest area for officers between shifts. Moreover, a local bakery delivers fresh bread and pastries daily to search teams, whilst community members coordinate hot meal deliveries to police checkpoints.
Concerns of Town’s Reputation and Tourism Impact
Tourism operators worry about long-term effects on visitor numbers, particularly as the spring season approaches. “People associate our name with this tragedy now,” lamented a holiday park owner. The town, usually preparing for its busy hiking and cycling season, now faces cancellations from concerned tourists hesitant to visit the area.
Historical Context: Past Tragedies in the Region
This incident evokes memories of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires that devastated nearby communities. Yet many residents observe that, unlike natural disasters, this human-caused tragedy feels distinctly different—leaving wounds that may take generations to heal.
Conclusion – Porepunkah Police Shootings
The Porepunkah police shootings stand as one of the most devastating attacks on law enforcement in recent Australian history. What began as a routine search warrant execution transformed into a national tragedy with the deaths of Detective Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart. Undoubtedly, their loss has created ripples throughout the police force and the broader community alike.
Seven days have passed since the initial incident, yet the alleged perpetrator remains at large despite the deployment of hundreds of officers, helicopters, and specialist units. Though authorities continue their relentless search, Freeman’s bushcraft skills and possible assistance from sympathisers have complicated efforts significantly.
Security experts view this case with particular concern, especially given the suspect’s documented links to sovereign citizen ideology. This incident, coupled with the 2022 Wieambilla ambush, suggests a troubling pattern of extremist violence targeting police officers across Australia. Such attacks highlight the growing threat posed by anti-government movements that previously existed on the fringes of society.
Meanwhile, Porepunkah residents face an uncertain future as their town’s identity becomes intertwined with this shocking crime. Local businesses and citizens have rallied admirably to support emergency services personnel, demonstrating remarkable community spirit amidst adversity. Nevertheless, the psychological impact and potential tourism consequences loom large over this small Alpine community.
The case ultimately raises serious questions about police safety during high-risk operations and the management of individuals with extreme anti-government views. As the search continues and the community begins its healing process, Australians across the country remain united in grief for the fallen officers who made the sacrifice while serving their community. Their legacy will certainly endure long after headlines fade.
What happened in the Porepunkah police shooting incident?
Two police officers were shot and a third was injured while executing a search warrant at a rural property in Porepunkah, Victoria. The suspect, Dezi Freeman, fled into nearby bushland after the shooting.
Who were the officers killed in the Porepunkah shooting?
The two officers killed were Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35. Both were experienced members of Victoria Police with distinguished careers.
Is the suspect still at large?
Yes, as of the latest update, Dezi Freeman remains at large. A massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers, helicopters, and specialist units is ongoing in the area surrounding Porepunkah.
What is the ‘sovereign citizen’ movement, and how is it related to this incident?
It is an anti-government ideology that opposes state authority. The suspect, Dezi Freeman, has been linked to this movement, with court records showing a history of confrontations with authorities and expressing anti-government beliefs.
How has this incident affected the Porepunkah community?
The shooting has deeply affected Porepunkah, a small Alpine tourist town. Residents are experiencing grief and fear, with concerns about the town’s future reputation and potential impact on tourism. Local businesses have rallied to support emergency services during the ongoing search.