Here’s what we learned: Wednesday, 27 August
We’ll wind down our live coverage of unfolding events in Porepunkah shortly.
Suspected gunman Dezi Freeman remains on the run in a semi-rural part of Victoria’s north east.
Freeman, the man suspected of shooting and killing two police officers and injuring a third at a rural Victorian property, has previously called police “terrorist thugs” and has a history of association with pseudolaw and “sovereign citizen” ideas.
The Victorian police commissioner said police believe Freeman is thought to understand “bushcraft well”, presenting a challenge for those searching for him. He said the best experts in the country are doing “everything” they could to find Freeman.
The slain officers were named as Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.
At the scene in Porepunkah, at least three loud bangs, which sounded like shots, were heard this afternoon near the property where Freeman was living.
A roadblock remains in place around the area where Freeman was living. A convoy of police vehicles has now left the area.
Jacinta Allan honoured the slain officers and said every effort was being put into the manhunt for the suspect.
Porepunkah residents are advised to stay indoors and stay vigilant while the operation continues.
One local described the small town as an “idyllic place to live. It’s a really nice place to live. It’s not some conspiracy theorist town.” Another said she suspected Freeman “knows how to look after himself” out in the bush.
From Facebook groups to shootouts with police, my colleague Ariel Bogle took a look inside the sprawling ecosystem of ‘sovereign citizens’.
Other tributes have flowed for the officers who lost their lives, including from Victoria’s opposition leader, Brad Battin, and the federal member for Indi, Helen Haines.
Finally, here’s our wrap of the events so far.
We will be back with more updates tomorrow. Thanks, as ever, for joining us.
Updated
Roadblock remains in place as police vehicles leave cordon
A large number of police cars have just left the roadblock area where suspected gunman Dezi Freeman was living.
The convoy included two BearCats, a set of armoured rescue vehicles.
It appears local cars, including a tractor, have been allowed to enter the area.
The roadblock remains in place. Victoria police have said there will be no extra information this evening.
Updated
