Dezi Freeman: Three people questioned during massive manhunt for fugitive Porepunkah gunman won’t be charged

Three people questioned as part of the massive manhunt for fugitive gunman Dezi Freeman will not be charged, police have revealed.

Desmond ‘Dezi’ Freeman has been missing since August 26 last year when he allegedly shot dead Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart while the officers were attempting to execute a search warrant at a remote property in Porepunkah, Victoria.

A third officer was seriously injured during the alleged ambush.

The incident sparked a large-scale search of the Mount Buffalo National Park but there has been no sign of the experienced bushman and self-proclaimed sovereign citizen since.

During the hunt, detectives from Taskforce Summit interviewed a 42-year-old Porepunkah woman and a 56-year-old Porepunkah man in relation to obstruction of police, while a third person was interviewed regarding attempted theft.

Charges against all three will not go ahead due to “insufficient evidence”.

“Victoria Police can confirm that we will not be proceeding with charges at this time against three people as part of the broader investigation into the fatal shooting of two police officers in Porepunkah last year,” a spokesperson said.

“Following a meticulous investigation, briefs of evidence were prepared by experienced detectives from Taskforce Summit.

“These briefs were subsequently not authorised due to there being insufficient evidence to support a prosecution at this time. Those briefs were independently reviewed, and the same outcome was reached.”

“Any further information received by police in relation to these matters will be thoroughly assessed and acted on as appropriate.”

The investigation into the shooting and the search for Mr Freeman is ongoing, with a $1 million reward on offer for information leading to Mr Freeman’s arrest. An enhanced police presence remains in the local Porepunkah and Mount Buffalo National Park areas.

Police have previously said they believe Mr Freeman is likely dead.

“Victoria Police, through Taskforce Summit, remains relentless in its efforts to find Freeman, using every available resource and the necessary capabilities,” the spokesperson said.

Anyone who sees Mr Freeman should phone Triple-0 immediately and not approach him.

Anyone with any information on Mr Freeman’s location, or anything the community notices at the Mount Buffalo National Park should be reported to Crime Stoppers Victoria via 1800 333 000.