Australian Defence Force Joins Week-Long Manhunt for Alleged Police Killer

The manhunt has entered its 8th day, with 450+ officers, ADF assets, and interstate police joining Victoria Police in the search.

A police helicopter circles a spot where some explosions were seen during a search for a Dezi Freeman, accused of the shooting murders of two police officers, in Porepunkah, Victoria in Australia on Aug. 28, 2025. William West/AFP via Getty Images

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been called in to help track down Dezi Freeman, the fugitive accused of fatally shooting two police officers in Victoria’s north-east.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that the ADF had supplied a planning expert and air surveillance equipment to bolster the search.