ACCUSED Aussie cop killer Dezi Freeman has been shot dead after months on the run.
Police gunned down the 56-year-old on Monday morning bringing an end to the marathon manhunt, according to 7NEWS.
It’s understood Freeman had been lying low in a shipping container around the Walwa area.
Cops were tipped off to his hiding spot on a local property, according to unconfirmed reports.
He was then shot dead at 8.30am by heavily armed police, three sources confirmed to The Age.
Freeman had been on the run since August 26 last year.
In a statement from Victoria Police on Monday, officers confirmed a man had been fatally shot on a rural property in north-east Victoria.
Investigators revealed the fatal shooting had occurred as part of the operation to locate Freeman.
“No police officers were injured during the incident,” the statement said.
“The coroner will attend the scene and the investigation will be oversighted by Professional Standards Command, as per standard process for a police shooting.”
Freeman allegedly shot dead Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 34, when they were serving a warrant at his property on Rayner Track, 300 km outside Melbourne.
A third detective who has not been identified publicly underwent surgery for a leg wound following the shoot out.
Seven other police escaped physically uninjured.
Freeman — also known as Desmond Filby — fled the scene.
Police will provide further information during a press conference at 11am.
A spokesperson for Police Association Victoria said the news represented a “step forward” in overcoming the tragedy in Porepunkah.
“Our members said they would find him. They did,” the spokesperson said.
“Closure isn’t the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community.
“It doesn’t lessen the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen or lessen the collective fear and grief that this tragic event has instilled in police and the wider public,” they added.
“Today, we won’t reflect on the loss of a coward.
“We will remember the courage and bravery of our fallen members and every officer that has doggedly pursued this outcome for the community.”
