A week on from the shooting deaths of two police officers in Victoria’s north east, some members of the local community are living in fear with the alleged gunman still on the run.
Dezi Freeman vanished into bushland around his Porepunkah property after he allegedly opened fire on a group of police officers as they attempted to execute a warrant for historical sex offences.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart were killed in the shooting, while a third officer was seriously injured.
Funerals will be held for Vadim De Waart and Neal Thompson after they were shot dead. (Supplied: Victoria Police)
On Monday, police said their tack would change as the search for the fugitive, believed to be heavily armed, continued.
During a press conference Superintendent Brett Kahan said officers believe Mr Freeman was alive and was being helped.
“People know the whereabouts of the person who has [allegedly] killed two cops,” he said on Monday.
“People have chosen for whatever reason, not to come forward.”
He urged anyone potentially harbouring the 56-year-old or who might know who is, to come forward so police could formulate a surrender plan.
Dezi Freeman has not been seen since the alleged shooting last Tuesday. (ABC News: Annie Brown)
Large-scale operation continues, community ‘on edge’
The last confirmed sighting of Mr Freeman, according to police, was at the time of the shooting, despite officers looking into a number of alleged sightings reported by the public.
It has left members of the local community uneasy as they try to return to normality.
One resident, Andrea Siede, said she feels “on edge”.
“Especially at night-time,” she said.
“It is so dark around here — there’s no street lights … so we’re basically on edge every night.”
Ms Siede and her husband own two caravan parks at the foot of Mount Buffalo, where the fugitive was believed to have run towards.
“Every noise you hear, every car that goes past the park … at night time it’s probably the worst,” she said.
Helicopters continued to fly overhead and hundreds of police officers, including from the Australian Federal Police and interstate, have descended on the picturesque Alpine town.
Superintendent Kahan said more than 450 pieces of information had been received as of Monday.
Multiple search warrants had been executed in relation to the manhunt and a number of people arrested, inlcuding Mr Freeman’s wife, Amalia Freeman, and their teenage son.
Ms Freeman and her son were released pending further inquiries and on Sunday, she issued a statement through her lawyer, calling on her husband to hand himself in.
Police confirmed Ms Freeman was in contact with authorities.
“Speaking to police and cooperating is two different things,” Superintendent Kahan said.
Amalia Freeman publicly pleaded for her husband to surrender. (A Current Affair)
Businesses call for support
On Monday the search focused on areas around Mr Freeman’s property as well as at nearby Eurobin, and the Mount Buffalo National Park.
Ms Siede said the road closures near her caravan parks, combined with a general hesitation to visit the area, had led to all her bookings being cancelled.
“We’ve still got our mortgages to pay, we’ve got our staff to pay. Our bills don’t stop and it just puts you on the back foot again,” she said.
“It sounds selfish when you talk about your business and finances … when two police officers have lost their lives but you can’t help but think ‘Okay we’ve got to try and push through this’ and ‘how long is this going to take?'”
The couple were forced to evacuate their park during the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires and months later were again sending visitors away when COVID-lockdowns restricted travel.
“It would be lovely if there was something that could assist financially,” Ms Siede said.
“But we’re not holding our breath and we’re just planning towards the next few months ahead of us.”
Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas said the local council was working on support services for people in immediate need a well as for the longer term.
“We’re really looking forward to being able to roll that out and work with our community about what’s needed,” she said in a video posted to social media on Monday night.
Visitors often flock to Porepunkah around winter with snow falling at Mount Buffalo. (ABC News: Annie Brown)
Federal independent member for Indi Helen Haines said early indicators pointed to a “significant loss of income across multiple sectors, including accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and local tourism operators”.
“With significant snow on our alps, these towns would in other circumstances be a hive of activity and are particularly reliant on winter trade,” she said.
“The impact on casual staff who have lost work is also significant.
“Given the nature of the incident, the profile of the offender and the scale of the police operation, it is not clear what the longer-term impact will be.”
She said she was in regular contact with the local council and chamber of commerce.
“I have sought advice from federal Minister for Emergency Management and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention regarding what Commonwealth supports are or could be made available,” she said.
With the search now in its eighth day, Victoria Police is also looking towards the funerals of the two slain officers.
Separate services will be held on Friday and the following Monday with Police Veterans Victoria confirming that veterans and serving members would be welcome to attend and pay their respects.
“We honour Neal and Vadim’s service, and the ultimate sacrifice they made in the line of duty,” a spokesperson said.