Overview
- Victoria Police say Dezi Freeman fled on foot into dense bushland near Porepunkah and is considered heavily armed and extremely dangerous.
- Residents north of Melbourne have been instructed to remain at home as authorities commit all available resources to the search.
- Gunfire erupted as about ten officers arrived to execute a search warrant at Freeman's property, killing officers aged 59 and 35 and wounding a third who is in stable condition.
- Police say they returned fire without hitting the suspect and have not disclosed the purpose of the search, noting participating officers included specialists in sexual offences and child abuse investigations.
- Australian media report Freeman has described himself as a 'sovereign citizen', and the prime minister cited intelligence warnings about the movement while stressing those reports remain allegations.