Property Owner’s Shocking Claims: ‘I Filmed the Entire Police Stand-Off with Dezi Freeman, But Cops Confiscated My Phone’
- Andrew Swift, owner of the Porepunkah property where Dezi Freeman shot two police officers, has made explosive claims in a newly released video.
- Swift says he filmed the entire incident, but his phone with the footage was confiscated by police.
- The video, shot two months after the incident, has sparked controversy ahead of an inquest into the fatal shootings.
- Swift’s account raises questions about the police operation and the events leading up to the tragic outcome.
Andrew Swift, the owner of the Porepunkah property where Dezi Freeman shot two police officers, has made shocking claims in a newly released video that has sent shockwaves through the community.
Swift says he filmed the entire police stand-off, but his phone with the footage was confiscated by police. The video, shot two months after the incident, has sparked controversy ahead of an inquest into the fatal shootings.
The incident occurred in August 2025, when police arrived at Swift’s property to arrest Freeman.
Swift, who had known Freeman since the 1990s and had allowed him and his family to live on his property in a converted bus, says he was in his office when Freeman’s wife, Mali, rang him to say that police were on the property.
Swift claims he immediately started recording the scene on his phone, capturing the tense moments leading up to the shooting.
According to Swift, he could hear Freeman, Mali, and their toddler son becoming increasingly distressed as the police operation unfolded. However, Freeman himself remained calm and composed, asking police questions and trying to de-escalate the situation.
Swift says he eventually made his way to the back of the bus, continuing to film and trying to pick up dialogue coming from the bus.
However, he claims he did not hear Freeman mention to police that he had a gun.
As the situation escalated, Swift says he caught a glimpse of Freeman ducking and yelled out to him to stay calm.
He then phoned Freeman shortly after shots rang out and claims that Freeman answered the call, saying he was in the bus, but then contradicting himself by saying he was in the hazelnuts or down at the huts or the paddock below.
Swift says he gave police Freeman’s number to try to understand where he was.
The shooting triggered a major police operation across the region, stretching into Mount Buffalo National Park. In March, Freeman was shot and killed by police around 150 kilometers away from Porepunkah in Thologolong after a seven-month search.
An inquest into the incident is due to commence later this month.
Security analysts say that the incident raises concerns about police procedures and the handling of high-risk situations.
“The fact that Swift was able to film the entire incident, but his phone was confiscated by police, raises questions about the transparency and accountability of the police operation,” said one expert.
The incident has also sparked debate about the use of force by police and the need for greater scrutiny of police procedures.
“This incident is a tragic reminder of the risks faced by police officers every day, but it also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in policing,” said a law enforcement insider.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The incident has significant implications for Australia, highlighting the need for greater scrutiny of police procedures and the handling of high-risk situations.
The fact that Swift was able to film the entire incident, but his phone was confiscated by police, raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of the police operation.
The incident also raises questions about the use of force by police and the need for greater training and support for officers in high-pressure situations.
As the inquest into the incident gets underway, it is clear that this case will have far-reaching implications for policing in Australia and the community’s trust in law enforcement.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the incident is a wake-up call for police to review their procedures and ensure that they are equipped to handle high-risk situations effectively.
“This incident is a tragic reminder of the risks faced by police officers every day, but it also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in policing,” said one insider.
