The Shoot-out in Freetown, alternatively referred to as the Showdown in Freetown, transpired on the desert planet of Tatooine during 9 ABY. This event involved Cobb Vanth, the Marshal of Freetown, along with his deputy Scott, and Cad Bane, a bounty hunter who was in the service of the Pyke Syndicate.
In the New Republic Era, specifically 9 ABY, [Boba Fett](/article/boba_fett], a former bounty hunter, assassinated Bib Fortuna, a prominent crime lord. Subsequently, Fett assumed his role as Daimyo of Mos Espa. Fett initiated the development of a gotra utilizing remnants from his predecessors' organization. However, his relatively new leadership attracted rival factions. The Pyke Syndicate emerged as one such group, aiming to seize control of Tatooine and expand their spice trade on the planet, resorting to force if necessary.
Cobb Vanth, the Marshal leading the people of Freetown, spearheaded the resistance against the Pykes' intrusion into their territories. Foreseeing a forthcoming conflict between themselves and Fett's allies, the Pykes engaged the services of Cad Bane as an enforcer. Suspecting that Freetown would align with Fett in the impending struggle, the Pykes dispatched Bane to negotiate the town's position of neutrality.
From afar, Cobb Vanth identified the figure of Cad Bane approaching Freetown on foot, and he appeared to be alone. Sensing potential danger, Vanth cleared the streets to confront the bounty hunter by himself. Upon entering the town, Bane informed Vanth of the Pykes' offer: a considerable price to the people of Freetown in exchange for their neutrality in the approaching conflict. At that moment, Vanth's deputy, Scott, emerged from a nearby structure and declared that Vanth would not accept the proposal.
Scott acted rashly and attempted to draw his blaster pistol; however, Bane reacted faster, successfully shooting both Vanth and Scott before they could return fire. Vanth sustained a single gunshot wound to his left shoulder, rendering him incapacitated, while Scott was fatally wounded by multiple blaster shots. Bane then exited the town in the same manner as his arrival, but not before warning the townsfolk against interfering with the Syndicate's activities.
The Showdown in Freetown debuted in "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger," the sixth installment of the live-action television series The Book of Boba Fett. The episode was penned by Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau, directed by Filoni, and broadcast on Disney+ on February 2, 2022. An artistic depiction of the showdown by artist Brian DeGuire, sold through Acme Archives Direct, was the first instance of its identification.