Dezi Freeman has been on the run since the shootings at a rural property in Victoria. Photo: ABC / Supplied
Australian police say they believe a manhunt for an armed suspect can be resolved peacefully and the state police force is open to a surrender plan.
Dezi Freeman is accused of shooting dead two police officers and injuring a third two days ago on a rural Victorian property near the town of Porepunkah, about 300 kilometres north-east of Melbourne.
There have been no confirmed sightings of him since.
At a media briefing on Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Brett Kahan has urged Freeman to turn himself in.
Superintendent Kahan said the option of a surrender plan was open to him should he want it.
He said police were working on the theory that the suspect was still in the Porepunkah area and has good bushman skills.
A team of 10 police officers were executing a warrant at the property when the shooting occurred.
Deputy Commissioner Barrett confirmed Freeman was being investigated for historical sex offences.
He said the initial police call was part of an investigation by the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse units.
The ABC has been reporting Freeman, born as as Desmond Filby, is a self-identified sovereign citizen - a group of people who reject government power.
Police vehicles block off Mt Buffalo Rd in Victoria, near the scene of the shooting. Photo: ABC News / Kimberley Price
An extensive manhunt in remote terrain has been underway for three days with police saying they believed Freeman was "heavily armed" and dangerous.
Meanwhile, police have named the two officers who were shot dead on Tuesday.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were killed in the line of duty in Porepunkah, Victoria police said.
Neal Thompson, left, and Vadim De Waart Photo: Supplied / Victoria Police
-RNZ / ABC
