Two police officers, shot while serving on duty in a rural Australian town, have been named as the authorities launch a massive manhunt for their alleged killer. Victoria Police confirmed the victims as Detective Neal Thompson, aged 59, a local officer near retirement, and 35-year-old Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.
The officers were part of a team executing a warrant at a property in Porepunkah, north-east of Melbourne, when they came under fire. Another officer sustained serious injuries but is recovering after surgery.
The suspected shooter, identified as local man Dezi Freeman, 56, remains at large. Police described him as heavily armed and a search is underway more than 24 hours post-incident.
Thompson joined the police force in 1987 and later worked with major fraud and crime squads before relocating to Wangaratta, an hour's drive from Porepunkah. De Waart had moved from Belgium and was an avid traveler currently temporarily posted in Wangaratta. Both officers' deaths left a significant impact on both their families and the local community, prompting police officials to urge caution among residents.
The manhunt involves helicopters and armoured vehicles as officers comb the bushland where Freeman reportedly fled. Locals described the area as dense and difficult to navigate, likening the search to finding a needle in a haystack. Authorities cautioned that Freeman knows the area well, adding to the challenges faced by the search teams.
As the investigation continues, questions raised about Freeman's previous indications of extremist beliefs, underscore the critical dialogue around how such views are addressed by local authorities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the concerns over the threat posed by such individuals, drawing parallels to previous attacks on police.
The officers were part of a team executing a warrant at a property in Porepunkah, north-east of Melbourne, when they came under fire. Another officer sustained serious injuries but is recovering after surgery.
The suspected shooter, identified as local man Dezi Freeman, 56, remains at large. Police described him as heavily armed and a search is underway more than 24 hours post-incident.
Thompson joined the police force in 1987 and later worked with major fraud and crime squads before relocating to Wangaratta, an hour's drive from Porepunkah. De Waart had moved from Belgium and was an avid traveler currently temporarily posted in Wangaratta. Both officers' deaths left a significant impact on both their families and the local community, prompting police officials to urge caution among residents.
The manhunt involves helicopters and armoured vehicles as officers comb the bushland where Freeman reportedly fled. Locals described the area as dense and difficult to navigate, likening the search to finding a needle in a haystack. Authorities cautioned that Freeman knows the area well, adding to the challenges faced by the search teams.
As the investigation continues, questions raised about Freeman's previous indications of extremist beliefs, underscore the critical dialogue around how such views are addressed by local authorities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the concerns over the threat posed by such individuals, drawing parallels to previous attacks on police.
