Dezi Freeman shooting: Police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart remembered

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Dezi Freeman's final recordings

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By Judd Boaz

As mentioned in today's hearing, the only footage that exists of the final confrontation between the Victoria Police Special Operations Group officers and Dezi Freeman comes from the Air Wing unit overhead.

Lindsay Spence told the court that the vision clearly shows Freeman pointing a black handgun at officers.

However, Mr Spence also mentioned that Dezi Freeman began recording audio on a mobile phone before he was shot.

That audio footage captured the negotiations, as well as the final confrontation.

Vadim De Waart-Hottart had a passion for work

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By Melissa Brown

Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart was remembered as an upbeat adventurer who constantly sought out new experiences, loved the outdoors and to travel.

He was described by his brother as his "very own superhero".

Friends and family said he was always happy and trying to make others laugh.

He was said to have had a “contagious smile”.

Neal Thompson was due to retire

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By Melissa Brown

At the heart of this entire case are two police officers whose lives were taken in the line of duty.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson was just days from retirement when he was killed.

He had dreams of spending his retirement walking across South America and going on fishing trips up north with mates.

Neal Thompson's family in court this morning

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By Melissa Brown

The family of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson attended the Coroners Court in Southbank, Melbourne this morning.

Among the group were Senior Constable Thompson's sisters.

Coronial brief to be delivered by October 30

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By Judd Boaz

Senior homicide detective Paul Scarlett has been appointed as the coronial investigator.

The Victoria Police Professional Standards Command is also overseeing the investigation into the shooting of Dezi Freeman.

No other issues are raised.

The coronial brief will be delivered by October 30 this year.

No bodycam footage

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By Judd Boaz

Mr Spence tells the court the tactical officers who confronted Dezi Freeman were not wearing bodycams, and have no footage of the incident.

He says footage of the final confrontation was captured by the helicopter overhead.

Audio from Dezi Freeman's mobile phone from around the time of the confrontation, also exists.

One bullet still unaccounted for

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By Judd Boaz

There are 15 bullets in a standard magazine for a Victoria Police issued firearm.

A count was made of the remaining rounds found in Freeman's gun (12), the shot fired in Porepunkah (1), and the shot fired at Thologolong (1).

The spare magazine of ammunition taken from police officer Vadim de Waart-Hottart was also found unused.

But the court hears that one round is still unaccounted for.

Dezi Freeman is shot dead

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By Judd Boaz

Dezi Freeman emerged with a green bag covering his hands, and walked away from police vehicles.

He then dropped the green bag and was seen with a firearm, and members of the tactical squad on site said they believed it had been fired.

"The deceased was struck and immediately fell to the ground," Mr Spence tells the court.

"His injuries were deemed to be fatal."

A spent cartridge case, consistent with Freeman's gun being fired, was found nearby.

Gas deployed

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By Judd Boaz

Police then attempted to give Dezi Freeman a mobile phone to communicate, throwing one on the ground. But Freeman refused to take it.

The court hears two hours of negotiations ensued, as Freeman goaded police officers by asking them to come "have a beer with me" as he drank from a bottle.

Police then deployed gas inside the shipping container, forcing Dezi Freeman out.

Police confront Dezi

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By Judd Boaz

Dezi Freeman emerged wrapped in a blanket, calling police "thugs and bullies", the court hears.

Freeman then asked why police were there.

Mr Spence tells the court Dezi Freeman explained his actions, saying:

"That is self defense ... they had come to murder me and my family".

Police then fired foam baton rounds at Freeman, who was struck and retreated back into the shipping container.

He then told police:

"Cowards. Come and get me."

Police surround Dezi

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By Judd Boaz

Police surrounded a white, modified 40-foot shipping container early in the morning, and attempted to negotiate with Dezi Freeman via loudspeaker.

The police Air Wing helicopter hovered overhead.

When no response came, police fired gas canisters at the shopping container, with several penetrating it.

Lead up to Thologolong raid

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By Judd Boaz

Mr Spence reminds us that the investigation is still ongoing into the shooting.

We hear about the rural property where Freeman was finally found.

The property did not have a "livable dwelling", but there were shipping containers.

Surveillance was conducted at the property in the days leading up to March 30, and Freeman's identity was confirmed.

Recount of shooting begins

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By Judd Boaz

The coroner begins by acknowledging the family of Dezi Freeman who are in court or watching a livesteam of proceedings and offers condolences.

Counsel Assisting Lindsay Spence returns from this morning to detail what exactly occurred in Thologolong on March 30, when Dezi Freeman was shot and killed.

Separate hearing begins

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By Judd Boaz

This morning's hearing at the Coroners Court of Victoria dealt with the deaths of police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart.

The hearing that has just begun in court this afternoon is dealing with the shooting death of Dezi Freeman in March this year.

Injured police officer taken to hospital

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By Judd Boaz

After Freeman left, the property owner opened the front access gate and drove his vehicle in, before the injured police officer was put in the back seat and driven to an ambulance.

He was later airlifted to a Melbourne hospital.

Police arrived at the property and established a crime scene.

Dezi Freeman escapes

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By Judd Boaz

Leaving the bus wearing a pair of boots, grey tracksuit pants, a brown t-shirt and dark coloured jacket, Dezi fled down towards a river and out of sight.

He was carrying a police issued firearm and the shotgun he had used to kill Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart.

A short time later, he sent a text message to Amalia Freeman that read:

Beb get mile away and keep going. See u in heaven luv

Dezi Freeman goes on foul-mouthed tirade during shooting

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By Judd Boaz

Dezi continues shooting at police, as officers attempt to check on their fallen colleagues. The court heard the following exchange was picked up:

Police officer: Can you hear us Thommo?

Dezi Freeman: F***ing scum. Die in hell you f***ing, die in f***ing hell

At this point, Freeman shot Neal Thompson a second time.

The coroner's court heard today that Freeman then stood over both bodies and said things which Assisting Counsel Lindsay Spence did not repeat in court "out of respect for the families".

Amalia Freeman flees the bus as Dezi continues shooting

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By Judd Boaz

Police radio in for assistance following the shooting, as other police members take cover behind a shed on the property.

About a minute after the first shot rang out, Amalia Freeman left the bus carrying a small child, walking down to a river by the property.

Dezi Freeman then left the bus, taking Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart's gun from his holster, along with his spare ammunition.

He then fired the shotgun again towards three police officers taking cover near a vehicle, with one officer receiving injuries from shattered pieces of glass.

Officers behind the shed returned fire, but missed Freeman, who returned to the bus to reload.

The moment two officers are fatally shot

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By Judd Boaz

The court heard Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson lifted himself up into the opening of the window and placed his feet inside the bus.

Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart was standing behind him along with another officer.

As his body came through the window, Dezi Freeman fired a shotgun towards him, hitting Detective Leading Senior Constable Thompson in the side of the face and neck.

As Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart turned to run, Freeman fired a second time and hit him in the head.

Body worn cameras from police officers at the scene capture Dezi Freeman repeatedly saying:

I had no choice, I had no choice.