Australia Offers $1M Reward for Info on Gunman Who Killed Officers

URGENT UPDATE: Australia’s Victoria Police have just announced a staggering $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Desmond Freeman, the suspected gunman in the fatal shooting of two police officers. This shocking development comes as the manhunt enters its 12th day, with no confirmed sightings of the 56-year-old fugitive, who is also known as Desmond Filby.

Freeman is accused of opening fire on police who arrived at his home in Porepunkah with a search warrant, resulting in the deaths of Detective Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35. A third officer was injured and required surgery following the incident. The community is on edge as more than 450 police officers continue to search for Freeman, who escaped into the dense forest surrounding the small town.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the Victoria Police homicide squad called the reward a “life-changing” sum, emphasizing its potential to encourage individuals who may have been hesitant to come forward. “There is no doubt that $1 million is a significant amount of money for anybody, and it will have lifelong changes to people’s circumstances,” Thomas stated.

The police have outlined the challenges in locating Freeman, a self-proclaimed conspiracy theorist with bush survival skills. He was last seen wearing dark green tracksuit pants, a dark green rain jacket, and brown boots, and authorities believe he remains armed. Police advise the public not to approach Freeman, warning that he could be dangerous.

As the search intensifies, police have not ruled out various scenarios, including the possibility that Freeman could either still be at large or have harmed himself. “The last confirmed sighting we have of Freeman was on the day of the murders,” authorities said, indicating the urgency of the situation.

The police recently conducted a raid at a property linked to Freeman, which led to the brief detention of his wife, Amalia Freeman, and their teenage son. Amalia has publicly urged her husband to surrender, highlighting the emotional toll this incident has taken on families involved.

This violent incident marks a rare occurrence in Australia, where police fatalities are uncommon. The nation has stringent gun control laws, instituted after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which claimed 35 lives. The police have not disclosed the reasons for the search warrant executed on the day of the shooting, but reports indicate that the team included members from the sexual offenses and child investigation squad.

As the manhunt continues, the public and law enforcement remain on high alert, eagerly awaiting any developments in the case. The Victoria Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that the reward may be a pivotal factor in bringing Freeman to justice.

Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.