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Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here News National New details of shooting ambush that killed two officers revealed as police search homes in hunt for Dezi Freeman By Daniel Jeffrey 9News Staff
Dozens more police have been brought in to search for Dezi Freeman on the same day it emerged that only a stroke of luck allegedly prevented the accused cop-killer from shooting a fourth officer in August. The fugitive allegedly tried to open fire on a fourth officer after a warrant was served on him at his residence in Porepunkah on August 26, but the homemade firearm jammed before a bullet could be fired, 9News understands. The new details from the shooting, first reported by the Herald Sun, revealed that Freeman, who is accused of killing police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart and wounding a third officer, allegedly aimed a homemade shotgun at a fourth officer and pulled the trigger. READ MORE:'I am worried': Boss of US's biggest bank signals stock market collapse However, the gun did not fire and the officer was unhurt. Freeman has not been seen since the shooting in late August in Porepunkah, in north-east Victoria, despite a huge manhunt for him ever since. Today, police announced that 33 extra officers from the public order response team were brought up to the High Country to launch an additional sweep of the area. A Victoria Police spokesperson also said authorities have searched "a number" of private properties in Porepunkah over the past two days as part of the manhunt. "The search involves a number of specialist services and follows intensive searches conducted by tactical police in the area over the past seven weeks," the spokesperson said. They added that the police presence in the area remains "significant", more than a month after the horrific shooting. "We are committed to using every available resource and the necessary skills required to find Freeman," the spokesperson said. Police have previously said it is believed Freeman, a so-called sovereign citizen, fled the property still heavily armed. READ MORE:Two mystery Aussies split mammoth $50 million jackpot Freeman's brother recently said he suspected the fugitive was dead, according to a controversial YouTube host. Police have said they are open to that possibility and have been searching the area with cadaver dogs, but they have said Freeman could also be alive and receiving assistance from somebody in the community. Investigators have characterised Freeman, who has links to the disparate sovereign citizen movement, as a skilled outdoorsman. A $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest remains available, and anyone with information about his whereabouts has been urged to call triple zero. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on theApple App StoreandGoogle Play. Continue reading CONTACT USSend your stories to contact@9news.com.auProperty News:The Australian couple making the most of Japan's cheap abandoned houses. Top StoriesTop executives at childcare chain resign in wake of abuse charges against ex-stafferan hour ago Today in History The Australian film legend buried with six bottles of whisky 'Little bastard done it': inquest hears father's claiman hour ago Study claims social media is impacting child intelligence (责任编辑：) |
