A man who is alleged to have killed a workmate at a grain silo has died after shooting himself near Kellerberrin, in Western Australia’s wheatbelt region.
Police confirmed that the man, 25, had shot himself. Officers tried to negotiate with him in farmland about 180km east of Perth following the earlier shooting.
The Western Australian police regional commander Rod Wilde said on Thursday that it was believed the alleged gunman had shot his workmate, a man in his 40s from Kellerberrin, before shooting at another car, and eventually shooting himself.
Wilde told media on Thursday that the alleged gunman was in a critical condition, but a police spokesperson later confirmed he died at the scene.
The alleged gunman, who was also from Kellerberrin, had travelled on foot and in a car in an “active shooter” scenario before he was found by police in farmland.
Members of the force’s tactical response group had attempted to negotiate with him before he shot himself, Wilde said.
The alleged gunman and the other man had worked together for some time, Wilde said, and he was the licensed owner of a number of firearms.
But other details regarding the shooting, including what firearms were used and what was behind the dispute, would be subject to an investigation.
At least one other person had been shot at, but no injuries had been reported, Wilde said.
“It’s a very small town, everyone knows everyone, so I’d imagine it will have a very devastating effect on the town,” he said. “We’re there to support the town.”
Earlier on Thursday, police said they were hunting for an “active shooter” after a man was shot during an incident at a grain silo and was travelling on foot around Mission Road.
In a subsequent statement, police said they had located the man – who they identified as Lachlan Bowles – in a rural area outside Kellerberrin and were “attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution”.
“However, the situation is still unfolding. Residents in the area are advised to remain alert. It has been confirmed that one man is now deceased and the homicide squad is investigating.”
Officers initially received a report of a firearm incident at Kellerberrin at about 8.40am on Thursday.
“The man is believed to have attended a grain silo and discharged the firearm before fleeing the area in a vehicle,” a police spokesperson said.
“Officers are currently confirming the make and model of this vehicle. A large number of police resources have been deployed in the wheatbelt area. One person has been injured and conveyed to hospital via ambulance.”
In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and ChildLine on 0800 1111. In the US, Mental Health America is available on 800-273-8255
