Residents of Porepunkah are coming to terms with the shocking death of a family member. This tragic incident has thrown the tight-knit community into anguish. During a firefight, local man Dezi Freeman is alleged to have shot and killed two police officers. He shot a third officer while they were trying to serve an arrest warrant on him. The violent confrontation between law enforcement and the protesters sparked a national manhunt. The Freeman, who has a long history of anti-police threats, authorities worry could be holed up in the series of dense wilderness surrounding the town.
SO FREEMAN, the “sovereign citizen”, has spent the last 25 years living in Porepunkah. Local resident Jesslyn Ellis said Freeman knew the land like the back of her hand. He grew up with his family on a bush block at the end of a dirt road. They were only a couple of kilometers beyond the end of town. Authorities suspect Freeman armed himself with a number of firearms after he fled from the shooting scene into thick bushland nearby.
The area surrounding him is widely considered semi-remote due to rough, mountainous terrain. This complicates the ability of law enforcement officers to locate him. Law enforcement have used numerous resources, including a drone, to find Freeman. They have not been able to verify any new sightings since he disappeared into the woods. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that there was no reason to believe Freeman had left the area.
It is those dangers to public health that local residents fear Freeman will act upon. They describe him as a “new age Ned Kelly,” an allusion to the infamous Australian outlaw. This comparison adds to the surreal nature of the situation, as local Marty Robinson explained, “What’s happened – in any place [it would be] so far out of the ordinary. So it’s quite surreal really.”
Freeman’s family still lives in Porepunkah, adding to the anxiety within the small community. While his critics may disagree on whether he’s a man of integrity, plenty agree that he’s a father to 80,000. Robinson mentioned, “I’m not saying he’s a hero or a legend but he’s someone’s father.” Now, residents are left navigating the competing feelings that Freeman elicits. They struggle with the horrendous nature of his alleged acts while making sense of their anger and disappointment.
With rescue efforts still ongoing, some local residents are worried about how long it will take to recover Freeman. Robinson worried that the police would be out looking for him for months. Well, his extensive knowledge of bushcraft and survival skills is what gives him the upper hand. Freeman’s familiarity with the land poses significant challenges for authorities, particularly with adverse weather conditions expected in the upcoming days.
The forecast is calling for nearly a meter of snow across the area in the next three days. This unprecedented snowfall will complicate search efforts even further. Instead, this weather could enable Freeman to get the full Freeman experience as he cuts through the dull climate like a hot knife through butter.
Ellis added to the uncertainty surrounding Freeman’s whereabouts, stating, “he could be in a cave. He could be down a mine. He could show up anywhere.” Now, residents are left contending with this deeply disturbing reality. They go home and live in fear, always waiting to see what happens next.
The Porepunkah community is said to have a “wholesome” vibe. As one local laments, it used to be known as home to a “really great community. But recent violence has shattered this calm, making residents of all nationalities fear for their safety and wish for an end to the chaos situation.