Victoria Police have released two men arrested in connection with the investigation into cop killer Desmond 'Dezi' Freeman without charge. The men, aged 48 and 45, were taken into custody on Tuesday as part of Taskforce Summit's ongoing inquiries into Freeman's movements following the fatal shooting of two police officers in Porepunkah last year.
Police confirmed on Wednesday that the pair had been released pending further inquiries, with a spokesperson stating the investigation remains ongoing and no further details can be provided at this time. Freeman, 56, shot and killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart in August last year before fleeing into the bush.
Freeman was on the run for over seven months before being shot dead by police on March 30. His hideout was discovered after authorities allegedly tracked a person closely linked to him who made repeated trips between Porepunkah and Thologolong. Two separate inquests are scheduled: one into Freeman's murder of the officers and another into his fatal shooting.
During a recent hearing, details emerged of the August 26 incident, including that Freeman shouted his family was 'not coming out' and that the search was illegal. Constable Thompson was killed while climbing through a window, and Freeman then shot Constable de Waart-Hottart as officers sought cover. Freeman was recorded making abusive statements and stood over the bodies before fleeing.
In March, when officers located Freeman, he yelled challenges and was shot with a nonlethal round before retreating into a shipping container. After police pumped gas into the container, Freeman emerged with a bag over his hands, dropped it, and pointed a firearm at officers, leading to him being shot dead.
