A suspected gunman was flown to hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a manhunt and a tense standoff with police.
Lachlan Bowles, 25, is believed to have shot and killed the father of one child, Terry Czernowski, around 8.40am Thursday before fleeing.
Washington police launched a manhunt for Mr Bowles that lasted several hours before tactical police arrived at a “rural location outside of Kellerberrin” where he barricaded himself on a property.
A local told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Bowles went to the Moylan grain elevators in Kellerberrin and allegedly “shot someone about 25 times”.
“My colleagues were working down the street and I heard a few shots and then the town was swarming with cops,” he said.
The man is believed to be an employee of a grain company along with Mr Bowles.
Lachlan Bowles, 25 (pictured), is believed to have shot and killed the father of one child, Terry Czernowski, around 8.40am Thursday before fleeing.
Residents of Kellerberrin, 200km east of Perth, have been ordered by police to stay indoors after shots were fired at a grain elevator in the area around 8.40am on Thursday
The father of one child, Terry Czernowski, was shot dead in Moylan Grain Silos
“As of this writing, and this is evolving fairly quickly, I can say he is in critical condition as a result of this self-inflicted gunshot wound,” said Rod Wilde, WA Regional Commander.
Mr Bowles, a volunteer paramedic, was allegedly spotted in camouflage clothing in the Kellerberrin area at the time of the shooting.
Police are investigating whether other people were shot at. Witnesses report that bullets were fired at cars during the alleged killing spree.
Mitchell Harvey, a local shearer, said a farmer miraculously survived after reaching out to Mr Bowles.
“A farmer checking his paddock drove past him and asked if he needed a ride and he shot his door,” Mr Harvey said western australian.
“I saw him this morning on the way to work. I had no idea he was going there to kill someone.’
An alert SMS was sent to local residents today as the situation escalated.
“Residents in the area are being asked to remain vigilant.” “It has been confirmed that a man has since died and homicide is investigating,” police said.
Mr Bowles, who holds a firearms license, is said to have been armed with at least one weapon with a range of 3 km.
All facilities and public events in the Shire of Merredin, which includes Kellerberrin, have been canceled until further notice. Armored police cars patrolled the tense scene.
Mr. Bowles is a volunteer paramedic in St. John WA and received a 2021 Merit Award
All facilities and public events in the Shire of Merredin, which includes Kellerberrin, were canceled on Thursday and armored police vans patrolled the tense scene
Text messages between two locals in the town where an active gunman was at large provide insight into the chaos that unfolded throughout the day.
A local told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Bowles went to the Moylan grain elevators in Kellerberrin and allegedly “shot someone about 25 times”.
“My colleagues were working down the street and I heard a few shots and then the town was swarming with cops,” he said.
Mr Bowles is a Volunteer Paramedic in St John WA and was honored on Australia Day 2021 for his services to the community.
Tony, who owns the local Kellerberrin Pie Shop and Bakery, claimed to have known the late man.
Kellerberrin locals received a text message warning them to stay indoors during the incident
“It’s locals that this has happened to,” Tony told The West Australian.
“The deceased was only in my shop on Friday.” “We spoke about his plans for Father’s Day.”
Locals described Mr Bowles as a “good boy” while expressing dismay at reports that he was allegedly involved in the shooting.
“He was a good boy from a good family,” wrote one.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police immediately.
