Blue lights, icy roads: community mourns as police hunt alleged shooter Dezi Freeman

Victoria remains in shock as the manhunt for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman continues following the fatal shooting of two police officers at Porepunkah, near Mount Buffalo. The tragedy unfolded on Rayner Track at the foot of Mount Buffalo, where Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart were gunned down during an operation. A third officer survived the attack but is recovering from injuries. Freeman, accused of carrying out the killings, remains at large as police extend their search across the Alpine region. In response, Parks Victoria has announced t

Victoria remains in shock as the manhunt for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman continues following the fatal shooting of two police officers at Porepunkah, near Mount Buffalo. The tragedy unfolded on Rayner Track at the foot of Mount Buffalo, where Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart were gunned down during an operation. A third officer survived the attack but is recovering from injuries. Freeman, accused of carrying out the killings, remains at large as police extend their search across the Alpine region. In response, Parks Victoria has announced the closure of Mount Buffalo National Park until further notice while the search continues. The park, usually popular with hikers, campers, and kayakers, has become the center of a massive police operation. “If you had plans to visit Mount Buffalo National Park, please find an alternative,” Parks Victoria said in a statement. “The thoughts of everyone at Parks Victoria are with the families of the officers and their colleagues.”

Mount Buffalo National Park has been closed. ( Photograph: ABC News)

The loss has prompted an outpouring of grief from both law enforcement and the wider community. The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation said it was “shocked and saddened” by the deaths, holding a minute’s silence during its board meeting last night. “Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart will be the focus of upcoming Blue Ribbon Foundation events,” the foundation said, adding that it would work with the officers’ families to establish living memorials in their honor. “We will remember them and their sacrifice.” Premier Jacinta Allan announced that buildings across Melbourne and regional Victoria will be lit in blue this evening as a public tribute to the fallen officers. Meanwhile, in Wangaratta, police shared a heartfelt message of gratitude on social media: “This is a very difficult time for our police family here at Wangaratta, but knowing that our community is standing beside us truly means the world.”

Crown Casino ligts its tower in blue on Tuesday night. File: ABC News

At the scene, conditions have turned icy.

ABC reporter Ashlee Aldridge

noted that police had briefly reopened Mount Buffalo Road after a large contingent of vehicles left the area, though officers remain heavily involved in the manhunt. The road, which leads directly to Rayner Track, has been a focal point of the investigation. As night falls, the search for Dezi Freeman continues.