An alleged gunman has been airlifted to hospital with a self inflicted gunshot wound after a manhunt and tense standoff with police.
Lachlan Bowles, 25, allegedly shot father-of-one Terry Czernowski dead about 8.40am on Thursday before going on the run.
Texts between two locals in the town where an active shooter was on the loose have given an insight into the chaos which unfolded in the town.
WA Police allege Mr Bowles, 25, was on the run for several hours before arriving at a ‘rural location outside of Kellerberrin’ where he barricaded himself inside.
A local man told Daily Mail Australia Mr Bowles went to the Moylan Grain Silos in Kellerberrin and allegedly ‘shot someone about 25 times’.
‘My mates work down the street and heard a bunch of gun shots and then the town was crawling with police,’ he said.
The man is believed to be an employee at grain business along with Mr Bowles.
Lachlan Bowles, 25 (pictured), allegedly shot father-of-one Terry Czernowski dead about 8.40am on Thursday before going on the run.
The residents of Kellerberrin, 200km east of Perth , have been told by police to stay indoors after gunshots were fired at a grain silo in the area about 8.40am on Thursday
Father-of-one Terry Czernowski was shot dead at Moylan Grain Silos
‘At this point, and this is evolving quite quickly, but I can say he is in a critical condition from that self-inflicted gunshot wound,’ Regional WA Commander Rod Wilde said.
Mr Bowles, a volunteer ambulance officer, was allegedly seen dressed in camouflage gear in the Kellerberrin area at the time of the shooting.
Police are investigating if other people were also shot at with witnesses claiming bullets were fired at cars during the alleged rampage.
Mitchell Harvey, a local sheep shearer, said a farmer miraculously survived after he approached Mr Bowles.
‘Some farmer who was checking his paddock drove past him and asked if he needed a lift and he shot his door,’ Mr Harvey told the West Australian.
‘I saw him this morning on the way to work. I had no idea he was going off there to kill someone.’
Those living nearby were sent an alarming text earlier today as the situation escalated.
‘Residents in the area are advised to remain alert. It has been confirmed that one man is now deceased and Homicide Squad are investigating,’ Police said.
Mr Bowles, who has a firearms licence, is understood to have been armed with at least one gun with a 3km range, The West Australian reported.
All facilities and public events in the Shire of Merredin, which includes Kellerberrin, were cancelled until further notice aarmoured police trucks patrolled the tense scene.
Mr Bowles is a St John WA volunteer ambulance officer, and was awarded for his service in 2021
All facilities and public events in the Shire of Merredin, which includes Kellerberrin, were cancelled on Thursday with armoured police trucks patrolling the tense scene
Mr Bowles is a St John WA volunteer ambulance officer, and was awarded for his service to the community on Australia Day in 2021.
Tony, who owns the local Kellerberrin Pie Shop and Bakery, claimed to have known the man who died.
‘They are local guys that this has happened to,’ Tony told The West Australian.
‘The guy that died was only in my shop on Friday. We were talking about his plans for Father’s Day.’
Kellerberrin locals received a text warning them to stay indoors as the incident unfolded
Locals have described Mr Bowles as a ‘good kid’, while expressing their shock at reports he was allegedly involved in the shooting.
‘He was a good kid from a good family,’ one wrote.
Mr Bowles was believed to have been driving a 2007 Grey Holden Commodore, with licence plates 1CRB764.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police immediately.
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