A reported single shot has led to a new line of investigation in the police department long-running manhunt for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman.
Police carried out “firearm tests” near Barrett Lane and Rayner Track and Porepunkahabout 300km northeast of Melbourne in northeastern Victoria on Wednesday as part of their search.
The tests were prompted by reports of a gunshot in the area on August 26 at approximately 11:45 am.
Freeman had reportedly opened fire on police moments earlier, killing Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and wounding a third officer.
They were among 10 officers serving an arrest warrant at Freeman’s home in Porepunkah when they were reportedly confronted about 10.30am.
“The area has since been searched by police but no trace of Freeman has been found,” Victoria Police said in a statement on Sunday.
“Researchers are hopeful that firearms testing can assist police in the ongoing search.”
Police want to speak to anyone who may have heard the shot, including any members of the public who were in the area at the time and believe they may be the person responsible.
There have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman since he fled into the dense bushland, despite detectives investigating more than 1,700 tips.
Hundreds of officers and specialist assets, including interstate and international crews, have searched the area and surrounding areas.
The search was scaled back to more than 200 police officers in September, and Mount Buffalo National Park reopened to the public in late October.
Chief Mike Bush has previously said police are working out several possible scenarios.
“Is he still alive? We don’t know. Is he still alive and is he still around? We have no real information to suggest that,” Bush told reporters on October 13.
“Or was he unable to leave the area and is he being cared for by others? We don’t know.
“These are all assumptions and possibilities, and we are planning a tool for those three.”
Victoria Police have offered a $1 million reward and the possibility of compensatory damages for information leading to Freeman’s arrest, the largest reward in state history for facilitating an arrest.
People in the area have been advised to remain vigilant and not approach the fugitive, who is considered armed and dangerous.
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