Six months after fugitive gunman Dezi Freeman allegedly shot two police officers before vanishing into dense Victorian bushland, Daily Mail can reveal the letter that may have triggered his descent into violence.
Freeman fled authorities on August 26 after ten police officers arrived at his compound in Porepunkah, 300km northeast of Melbourne, to execute a search warrant.
What followed was a fraught confrontation captured from multiple angles on mobile phones and a police body camera.
In footage seen by Daily Mail, Freeman refused to open the door as officers, some in plain clothes and others in uniform, attempted to force entry.
During the standoff, he raised his voice, pleading with police to call a disability support officer.
Police then pried open a window, after which Freeman became increasingly frantic before allegedly fatally shooting two officers, stealing their weapons, and fleeing into surrounding bushland.
Despite an enormous manhunt and ongoing searches across the rugged alpine ranges surrounding the small town, Freeman has not been seen since.
Authorities have since offered one of the largest rewards ever issued in the region as investigators continue hunting the well-known conspiracy theorist, but six months on there have been no confirmed sightings.
Documents obtained by Daily Mail now reveal Victoria Police had already moved to revoke Freeman’s access to firearms months before the deadly confrontation.
In a formal letter dated June 2024, police advised they had suspended Freeman’s Longarm Licence after determining he was no longer considered a ‘fit and proper person’ to possess firearms under the Firearms Act 1996.
The notice stated that the decision followed a police interview conducted on February 22, 2024, in relation to an alleged offence of hindering police.
‘Your Category A & B Longarm Licence No. 887-899-70B is hereby suspended,’ the letter stated.
It further noted that the suspension was made because Freeman was ‘no longer a fit and proper person on any other basis’, noting the matter remained under active investigation by Victoria Police at the time.
Freeman was informed he could challenge the decision by making a written submission to the Chief Commissioner explaining why he should keep his licence.
Police advised any submission should include a signed response addressing their concerns, along with character references from people able to attest to his suitability to continue owning firearms.
The letter also directed Freeman to surrender his physical licence card within seven days, warning that failure to comply constituted a criminal offence punishable by up to 240 penalty units or four years’ imprisonment.
It remains unclear whether Freeman complied with the order before the events that unfolded months later.
Daily Mail understands Freeman’s driver’s licence had also been suspended at the time of the shooting, with those close to him claiming the restrictions left him increasingly isolated at his remote property.
‘He was really depressed,’ a close friend said.
‘He was unwell physically and unable to shake flu-like symptoms for weeks and had started to drink heavily.
‘He didn’t live near public transport and couldn’t easily get to town, and that was all weighing on his mental state in the lead-up to that day.
‘No one close to him is justifying what happened, but they can understand why he felt his way of life was being ripped away from him.’
Early in the investigation, police suggested Freeman, whose real name is Desmond Filby, may have been receiving assistance while on the run, though authorities did not specify how many people they believed could be involved or whether they were local to the area.
Last month, police launched another five-day search at the base of Mount Buffalo after a member of the public reported hearing what they believed was a gunshot less than two hours after the officers were killed.
At the same time, investigators said they now ‘strongly believe’ Freeman is dead, while acknowledging they have no definitive evidence confirming his fate.
Police say they have assessed more than 2,000 pieces of information provided by the public as the investigation continues.