Dezi Freeman, the man accused of fatally shooting two police officers in Porepunkah, Victoria, has a history of confrontational behavior towards law enforcement. The self-identified "sovereign citizen" referred to police as "terrorist thugs" and "frigging Nazis" during court appearances, according to court documents.

Freeman, 50, allegedly shot a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable during a police operation on Tuesday morning. The officers were executing a warrant related to historical sex crimes when the incident occurred. Following the shooting, Freeman fled into nearby bushland, prompting a large-scale manhunt. Police Commissioner Mike Bush described Freeman as dangerous and heavily armed, stating, "We know the person is heavily armed."

Freeman's contentious relationship with the legal system dates back several years. In 2019, he attempted to "arrest" a magistrate and police officers during a court hearing, claiming they were acting oppressively. Video footage from the hearing shows him declaring, "I arrest you for aiding and abetting... you are not free to leave."

In a separate incident, Freeman led a failed private prosecution against former Premier Daniel Andrews for treason in 2021. The case was dismissed, and Freeman was arrested while protesting outside the court. His legal troubles also include a two-year driving ban for speeding and refusing a drug test, which he attempted to contest in court, arguing he acted in self-defense.

During that hearing, Freeman expressed his disdain for police, stating, "even the sight of a cop or a cop car... it's like an Auschwitz survivor seeing a Nazi soldier." He further claimed, "What's worse than a swastika is the inverted pentagram, the Satanic symbol that they wear and they behave like it as well."

Despite his attempts to challenge the charges, a County Court judge upheld the majority of them, a decision later supported by the Supreme Court. Neighbors described Freeman as living in a compound with others at the edge of town. One neighbor noted, "He's well-versed in the bush and there's caves up there, so it'll be a while before they find him, I think."

As of late Tuesday, police continued to search the area around Porepunkah for Freeman, who remains at large.