A reported single gunshot has sparked a fresh line of questioning in the long-running Manhunt for alleged point killer Desmond “Dezi” Freeman.
Victoria police conducted “Weapons testing” near Barrett Lane and Rayner Track in DorePunkah, about 300km north-east of Melbourne, on Wednesday as part of their search.
The trial was triggered by reports of a gunshot in the neighborhood at around 11.45 am on 26 August.
Freeman is said to have opened fire on police earlier, killing detail Noal Thompson and SEN Vadim de Waartart and wounding a third officer.
They were among 10 officers serving a warrant at Freepundan’s home when they were confronted around 10.30am.
“The area has since been searched by police, however no trace of FREEMAN has been located,” said a statement on Sunday.
“Investigators are hopeful that testing the weapons may assist police in the ongoing search.”
Police would like to speak to anyone who may have heard the gunshot, including any members of the public who may have been in the area at the time and believe they may be responsible.
There have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman since he fled the dense bushland despite detectives investigating more than 1,700 tip-offs.
Hundreds of officers and specialized resources, including interstate and international agencies, are on the scene and surrounding.
The search was completed by more than 200 police in September and Mount Buffalo National Park reopened to the public in late October.
The Chief of Staff Chief, Mike Bush, previously said that the police are investigating several possible scenarios.
“Is he still alive? We don’t know. He’s alive and we’re not in the area? We have no real information to suggest that,” Bush told reporters in mid-October.
“Or did he not leave the area and was taken care of by others? We don’t know. All those thoughts, possibilities, and we planned a resource for the three.”
Victoria Police are offering a $1M reward and the possibility of surveillance for information leading to Freeman’s arrest, the largest reward in the state’s history for facilitating an arrest.
People in the area are advised to remain vigilant and not approach the refugees, who are considered armed and dangerous.