Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Police seek gunman’s surrender after fatal shooting
Police are in a stand-off with a gunman in a wheatbelt town after a man was shot dead at a grain silo.
September 7, 2023
Police are trying to convince a gunman to surrender after a man was shot dead in a West Australian wheatbelt town.
Lachlan Bowles, 25, allegedly shot the man at a grain silo manufacturing plant in Kellerberrin about 8.40am on Thursday before fleeing the area.
WA police issued an active shooter alert soon after, warning members of the public to remain indoors as a major manhunt got underway.
He was believed to be on foot, armed and dressed in camouflage clothing north of Kellerberrin, about 200km east of Perth.
Police found him at a rural property several hours later.
“We are attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution, however; the situation is still unfolding,” a police spokeswoman said in a statement issued about 2pm local time.
“Residents in the area are advised to remain alert.”
Annamaria Lucente, manager at Kellerberrin Hotel Motel, said the close-knit town of about 950 people remained locked down.
‘The whole town is in shock,” she told AAP.
Police had scheduled a press conference for 12.45pm but it was cancelled at the last minute amid multiple warnings for the media to stay away from the area.
The homicide squad is investigating the man’s death.