A gunman has taken his own life after shooting a colleague dead and leading police on a dramatic manhunt and siege.
Volunteer paramedic Lachlan Bowles, 25, shot his colleague Terry Czernowski, a father-of-one, dead at Moylan Grain Silos at about 8.40am on Thursday before going on the run.
WA Police launched a manhunt for Bowles lasting several hours before tactical police arrived at a ‘rural location outside of Kellerberrin’ – 200km east of Perth – where he had barricaded himself inside a property.
Police locked down the area and helicopters were ordered not to fly overhead for fears they could get shot down – and police said at least one car was shot at as Bowles fled.
Armed officers cornered Bowles in a field before he shot himself. Police later confirmed he had died.
Lachlan Bowles, 25 (pictured), shot father-of-one Terry Czernowski dead about 8.40am on Thursday before going on the run.
Father-of-one Terry Czernowski was shot dead at Moylan Grain Silos
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
It’s unclear what Bowles’ motive was, but Regional WA Commander Rod Wilde said police ‘believe it was related to the two parties’.
Bowles, a volunteer ambulance officer who is not believed to have had a criminal history, was seen dressed in camouflage gear in the Kellerberrin area at the time of the shooting.
A local told Daily Mail Australia that Bowles went to his workplace at Moylan Grain Silos in Kellerberrin and ‘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.
Mitchell Harvey, a local sheep shearer, said a farmer miraculously survived after he approached 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.’
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Mr Bowles is a St John WA volunteer ambulance officer, and was awarded for his service in 2021
The residents of Kellerberrin, 200km east of Perth, were told by police to stay indoors after gunshots were fired at a grain silo in the area about 8.40am on Thursday
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.
Bowles, who has a firearms licence, is understood to have been armed with at least one gun with a 3km range.
All facilities and public events in the Shire of Merredin, which includes Kellerberrin, were cancelled until further notice armoured police trucks patrolled the tense scene.
Kellerberrin locals received a text warning them to stay indoors as the incident unfolded
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.’
Locals described 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.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police immediately.
For confidential 24-hour support in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
