‘Can you hear us, Thomo?’ Court learns of officers’ final moments in Porepunkah shooting

The events that unfolded in Porepunkah, Victoria, in August 2025 were a stark reminder of the complexity and unpredictability of policing high-risk operations. The details of the fatal shootout between police officers and Dezi Freeman, a person of interest in an investigation into child sexual abuse allegations, have been slowly revealed through the Coroners Court of Victoria.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed in the line of duty while Freeman’s wife and children were present. The police operation involved multiple officers, body-worn cameras, and a comprehensive search warrant. Yet, it was not enough to prevent the loss of two good men.

The exchange between officers and Freeman, as recounted in court, is chilling. When asked to come out, he responded with hostility and aggression, claiming “Cowards – come and get me.” The police attempted to de-escalate, but ultimately, it was a fatal mistake that sealed their fate.

Freeman’s claim of self-defense has been met with skepticism given his history of firearms registration and expired licenses. It is unclear what motivated him to turn violent on that fateful day in August 2025. However, the fact remains that two innocent lives were lost, and several others narrowly escaped injury or death.

The subsequent stand-off at Thologolong serves as a stark reminder of the limitations of police tactics when faced with an armed suspect. The use of gas canisters, foam baton rounds, and attempts to negotiate were all unsuccessful in persuading Freeman to surrender peacefully.

This tragic sequence of events reveals a society where child sexual abuse allegations are rampant, and perpetrators often evade justice. We have created an environment where the rule of law is disregarded by some individuals who feel emboldened to resist arrest and even take up arms against those tasked with enforcing it.

The families of Detective Thompson and Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart deserve closure and answers about what transpired that fateful day. As we reflect on this disturbing case, we must ask ourselves: how can we improve police training and tactics to better address high-risk operations? How do we restore faith in our institutions when they fail us so spectacularly?

The silence of Dezi Freeman’s last words still echoes through the corridors of justice, a haunting reminder that sometimes, even with the best intentions and the most advanced tactics, humanity falls short. The Coroners Court will continue to investigate, but it is up to us as a society to reflect on our collective failures and work towards creating a safer, more just world for all.