A manhunt to find a gunman suspected of killing two police officers near the Victorian town of Porepunkah continues, as the region is lashed by icy weather.<\/p>\n
Police are searching for Dezi Freeman, who is alleged to have opened fire on a group of 10 police officers as they executed a warrant at his rural property.<\/p>\n
Two police officers \u2014 identified as Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart \u2014 were shot and killed.<\/p>\n
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Vadim De Waart and Neal Thompson were both shot dead on Tuesday near Porepunkah. (Supplied: Victoria Police)<\/p>\n
A third police officer was hospitalised with lower body injuries and underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
The police search for Mr Freeman has seen the state deploy massive resources to Victoria’s north-east, including armoured vehicles, dog squads and helicopters.<\/p>\n
A no-fly zone is in place above the town of Porepunkah, where residents have been told to stay inside until he is found.<\/p>\n
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Police are searching for the gunman in dense bushland near Porepunkah. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)<\/p>\n
As the second day of the manhunt drew to a close on Wednesday, icy winds and patches of heavy rain lashed the region, with police vehicles seen leaving the area.<\/p>\n
Freeman at large in open bush<\/p>\n
Police said following the shooting, Mr Freeman left his property on foot, carrying with him several firearms.<\/p>\n
The alpine region around Porepunkah is heavily forested and mountainous, popular with tourists during the ski season.<\/p>\n
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An aerial image, captured in November 2024, of the alleged gunman’s Porepunkah property. (Supplied: Nearmap)<\/p>\n
The 56-year-old is believed to be an experienced bushman with an intimate knowledge of the surrounding area.<\/p>\n
“He knows that area. Even though we have experts in the area, he will know that area better than us, so we’re putting in every expert, and supported by local knowledge as well,” Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Expert survivalists have told the ABC<\/a> that Mr Freeman could feasibly survive for weeks out in the remote alpine bushland, which borders Mt Buffalo National Park.<\/p>\n It comes amid forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology for storm conditions in the coming days, with snowfall and freezing temperatures expected in the area.<\/p>\n A ‘sovereign citizen’ known to police<\/p>\n Dezi Freeman claims to be a “sovereign citizen”, a movement steeped in the belief that the government and institutions such as courts are illegitimate.<\/p>\n