- Published:
- Wednesday, 27 August 2025 at 2:03 pm
Police are continuing their extensive search for Desmond Filby, also known as Desmond Freeman, in connection to the shooting death of two on duty police officers during an incident in Porepunkah yesterday morning.
Police attended the property on Rayner Track shortly after 10.30am on Tuesday, 26 August.
Two officers were fatally shot and a third was seriously injured after being shot in the lower body.
No other officers were physically injured. Desmond Filby was last sighted by police fleeing on foot into the bush from the Raynor Track property shortly after 10.30am, on Tuesday, 26 August.
A significant search was immediately activated to locate Filby and the search remains ongoing.
At this stage, there have been no confirmed sightings of Filby.
Filby is believed to be armed with firearms, and we urge people not to approach him.
Investigators have released an image of Filby and request that anyone who sights him or has information about his whereabouts contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Filby is described as being Caucasian, 183cm tall, medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing dark green (khaki) tracksuit pants, dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses.
Detectives from the Homicide Squad are the lead investigators for this incident and are on scene along with detectives from the Armed Crime Squad and Fugitive Squad.
Police from the Special Operations Group and Critical Incident Response Team also remain on scene.
The suspects partner and children attended a police station yesterday evening and were accounted for.
The community can be reassured that we have significant resources from within Victoria Police, along with other agencies, assisting in the search to locate Filby.
People in Porepunkah and surrounding townships can expect to see a lot of police activity in and around their community.
The emergency alert sent out to people in the local Porepunkah area this morning, urging them to stay indoors, remains active.
We continue to ask people not to travel into the area.
We will continue to provide updates as information comes to hand and is operationally appropriate to do so.
Anyone with other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at Crime Stoppers Victoria.
Media Unit
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