Desmond Freeman fled into dense bushland in August last year after shooting and killing two police officers on a rural property in Victoria state.

For the past seven months, police have pursued Freeman through the region’s rugged terrain, pouring resources into one of Australia’s largest-ever manhunts.

“A man has been fatally shot by police at a property in north east Victoria this morning as part of the operation to locate Desmond Freeman,” Victoria Police said in a statement, when asked about the killing of Desmond Freeman.

Freeman was a member of the so-called “sovereign citizen” movement that believes laws do not apply to them.

The 56-year-old opened fire on police as they raided his home in the small village of Porepunkah.

He killed 59-year-old detective Neal Thompson and 35-year-old senior constable Vadim De Waart.

A third officer was wounded in the lower body.

While the reason for the search warrant has not been released, police said at the time the team included members of the sexual offences and child investigation squad.