• Dezi Freeman, 56, was shot dead by police in Victoria, Australia, ending a seven-month manhunt.
• Freeman allegedly killed two police officers during a search warrant execution in August 2022.
• The manhunt was one of Australia's largest, involving over 450 officers and a $1 million reward for information.
• He fled into the bushland and was known for his strong survival skills and belief in the "sovereign citizen" movement.
• Police stated that Freeman refused to surrender peacefully before the shooting occurred.

Australian police have shot dead a fugitive gunman, Dezi Freeman, effectively ending a seven-month manhunt for one of the nation's most wanted criminals. Freeman, 56, was wanted for allegedly killing two police officers and injuring a third during a raid at his rural property in Victoria state in August 2022. Reports indicate that the manhunt had mobilized significant police resources, described by authorities as one of Australia’s largest ever, as they searched through rugged terrain for Freeman, who fled into dense bushland after the incident, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed Freeman was fatally shot on a remote property in Thologolong, near the New South Wales border, after refusing to surrender when confronted by police. "There was a standoff. There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not,” Bush stated. The local media characterised Freeman as a "sovereign citizen," a form of conspiracy theorist who does not recognize government authority, as detailed by South China Morning Post and India Times.

Freeman had previously opened fire on police officers sent to execute a search warrant at his home, resulting in the deaths of Detective Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, which drew nationwide outrage. The police noted that while they were prepared for a confrontational encounter, they had hoped for a peaceful resolution, but faced an armed individual known to possess multiple firearms and highly skilled in bushcraft, according to CBS News and India Times.

The police had previously offered a reward of AU$1 million (approximately US$685,000) for information leading to his apprehension, highlighting the urgency of capturing an armed suspect like Freeman. The manhunt, which involved the Australian police alongside reinforcements, also saw significant public support through the reward, marking a critical effort by authorities to prevent further violence, as stated by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.