Bannister shooting: Major police probe after gunman unleashed terror in the Wheatbelt, took his own life

A gunman emerged from bushes at the scene of a Wheatbelt crash and shot at a carload of good Samaritans who had stopped to help before carjacking a second vehicle at gunpoint in a “terrifying” string of events that ended with the shooter taking his own life. Police say the ordeal — which also involved brandishing the gun at a woman in Merredin — started to unfold about 5.20pm on Saturday when the gunman and an alleged female accomplice crashed a red Holden Commodore sedan on Albany Highway in North Bannister. A Mitsubishi Triton carrying five people — understood to be workmates — had stopped to help at the crash scene at an abandoned roadhouse and when a passenger of the Triton got out, a man, who was carrying a shotgun, and a woman appeared from bushes. Police say the woman, 24, ran in front of the Triton as the man pointed the gun at the occupants inside. As the driver tried to speed away, the gunman fired a round into the passenger side window. The bullet travelled through the front cab of the car and exited through the driver’s side window. The driver of the utility drove away at speed before returning a short time later to collect the passenger who had been left behind. It was then police say the gunman fired again at the rear of the car as it made its getaway. None of the occupants were injured. About the same time, a Volvo BZ station wagon came across the same crash scene and was stopped by the man and the woman. The gunman pointed the firearm at the occupants and ordered them to get out, police said. The pair — who were not a couple — then fled in the stolen car. About 10.30pm, police received a report that the gunman had brandished the firearm at a woman in Merredin. Half an hour later, the Volvo was sighted at a service station in the same town, but “fled at speed when the driver sighted police”. Police followed at a safe distance as an “emergency alert” text message was sent to residents advising them to stay inside. Commercial Hotel publican Jason Williams said police had rung about 11.50pm — around closing time — asking if they were still trading and not to let anyone leave until the all-clear was given. Mr Williams said nobody knew at that point what was happening. “I moved staff to stand on the front doors and just informed everyone and we just kept the bar open to keep everyone happy,” he said. Mr Williams said the incident was a “double whammy” after the shooting incident in Kellerberrin, about 60km away, last month. “We’ve just gotten over that and now this happens,” he said. Newmont’s Boddington mine, which is located 13km out of town closer to Bannister, was placed into lockdown after police said there was “some information received that potentially linked the Boddington mine site to this incident”. “Police conducted inquiries and it was discovered that there was no link whatsoever between what occurred and the mine site or anyone at the mine site,” State intelligence and command Cdr Scott Warner said. By 11.45pm, the 24-year-old woman allegedly involved had exited the Volvo and was taken into custody. At 12.05am, police say the stolen Volvo had come to a stop on Great Eastern Highway in Merredin and officers surrounded the vehicle before finding the man slumped in the vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Police and St John WA performed CPR but were unable to revive him. HOW IT UNFOLDED: 5.20pm, Albany Highway, North Bannister: A red Holden Commodore crashes. Five workmates in a Mitsubishi Triton stop to help, before a man armed with a gun emerges from bushes with a female associate. As the Triton drives away, the gunman fires a round into the passenger window. Upon return to pick up one of the workmates left behind, another shot is fired at the rear of the car. About the same time, a gold Volvo BZ station wagon with two people inside arrives at the crash scene and is stopped by the pair. The male offender points the gun at the occupants and steal the car. 10.30pm, Merredin: The gunman follows a woman driving her car and points the firearm at her. 11pm, Merredin: Police receive a report the Volvo is sighted at a local service station. Police issue an emergency text message ordering residents to stay inside and secure their homes. 11.45pm: The 24-year-old alleged accomplice exits the stolen Volvo and is taken into police custody. 11.50pm, Commercial Hotel, Merredin: Police call and advise the publican to keep punters inside for their safety. 12.05am, Great Eastern Highway, Merredin: Police approach the stationary Volvo on Great Eastern Highway in Merredin. Officers surround the car before finding the gunman with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Gunman ‘known to police’ Cdr Warner said while the man has not been formally identified, they believe they know the identity of the man and that he is known to police. He said the woman involved has been spoken to “informally” by police. It was a “fast-evolving and dynamic situation made somewhat more complicated by the fact the locations were in regional WA”, Cdr Warner said. “Police deployed significant resources in response to this incident, including specialist resources such as the TRG (tactical response group), the regional operations group, detectives from the Great Southern district and local police,” he said. “Polair (police airwing) were also deployed.” Cdr Warner added: “This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for those members of the public who were threatened by the male who was brandishing the firearm.” “To have a firearm pointed at you like occurred in this situation no doubt would have been terrifying for those people involved,” he said. “I’m very thankful that none of the members of the public threatened by this male person suffered any injury.” Cdr Warner said inquiries were ongoing as to whether the shotgun used was licensed or otherwise. In Merredin on Sunday, a tow truck driver came to collect the Volvo which was left on the side of the highway. In North Bannister, a large rock outside the derelict roadhouse was left upturned as a result of the crash. Dense bushland and trees adjacent to Albany Highway surround the petrol station as spray-paint markings from police attempting to piece together the scene were left on the driveway. A Newmont spokesperson said the partial closure of the Boddington site was “temporary” following fears the gunman had entered its accommodation facilities. “WA Police were responding to an incident in the area and believed the people in question may have entered the site village,” a spokesperson said. “This proved to be a false alarm, and our team were able to resume normal activities after a short period of time.” Shire of Merredin president Mark McKenzie said the town was halfway between Kalgoorlie and Perth and therefore had a lot of travellers flowing through the area. Cr McKenzie said the incident would have traumatised many in the community, including the first responders. But he said given the time of night, fortunately, many local residents were not immediately impacted. The incident comes just weeks after another good Samaritan, John Matta, 38, was allegedly murdered after he stopped to help a man who had crashed his car in the middle of the night near Cervantes. Asked about whether West Australians should be concerned when they come across crashes, Cdr Warner said “one of the strengths of the Western Australian community is that we like to help each other out”. “I would hate to see a time when that changes,” he said. “What I would say as a general comment, is that at all times people should be aware of their surroundings and take precautions for their own safety where or when it is deemed necessary.” Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636