Australian fugitive Dezi Freeman accused of killing two police officers believed to have been shot dead

A fugitive accused of killing two police officers is believed to have been shot dead, Australian police have said.

Dezi Freeman, 56, was on the run for seven months after allegedly killing two officers in a remote town in Victoria state.

On Monday, police said they believed he was engaged in a three-hour standoff inside a rural property northeast of Victoria.

Heavily armed tactical officers and the man who was killed at the scene are believed to have opened fire during the shootout, police said.

"While the man is yet to be formally identified, police believe it is likely to be 56-year-old Porepunkah man Desmond Freeman," Victoria Police said in a statement.

Freeman, previously known as Desmond Filby, was shot dead at around 8.30am, local media widely reported.

He had been inside a shelter like a shipping container, according to police.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush declined to formally confirm the identity ​of the dead man, pending official identification, but said the shooting was justified.

Chief Commissioner Bush added that no police officers were injured ⁠during the incident.

He told reporters during a press conference: "Everything I know at this point tells me that ​this shooting was justified.

"There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not...we're working ‌through the sequence of that.

"We strongly believe, yet to be confirmed, that he was armed."

He added: "This was all about bringing this to a conclusion as safely as possible. Our ultimate goal was to arrest the person there...as peacefully as possible."

More than 450 police officers had been involved in ‌the hunt for Freeman since August, when he allegedly opened fire on a team of 10 police officers.

The officers had arrived at a property in Porepunkah, about 300 km (186 miles) northeast of Melbourne, to execute a search warrant.

A $1m (£520,000) reward had been offered for information leading to his ​capture.

Believed to have expert bushcraft survival skills and multiple powerful ​firearms, Freeman fled into bushland at Mount Buffalo National Park following ​the shooting.

Local media described him as a "sovereign citizen", a ⁠term used for individuals who regard the government as illegitimate.

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A spokesperson for Victoria police added: "The shooting occurred at the property shortly after 8.30am following a stand-off of several hours with police, including members of the Special Operations Group and detectives from Taskforce Summit.

"Police rendered assistance, however the man died at the scene. No one else was present at the property and no police were physically injured during the incident.

"The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined, however it's understood a number of police discharged their firearms.

"Police also believe Freeman was armed and further investigation will take place to determine if he discharged a firearm."

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