Perth, Australia – Tragedy struck a home in Perth’s west as a man seeking his former partner ended up taking the lives of a woman and her teenage daughter before turning the gun on himself. Police were alerted to the incident in the suburb of Floreat on Friday after hearing reports of gunshots. The 63-year-old man arrived at the property around 4:30 pm in search of his ex-partner, but she was not present at the time. Instead, he fatally shot a 59-year-old woman, a close friend of his ex-partner, and critically injured her 18-year-old daughter.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered the bodies of the two victims and immediately transported the teenage girl to Royal Perth Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Detective Inspector David Gorton of the WA Police shared that officers were present on the scene when the final shot was fired, indicating the man had taken his own life. Despite being known to the authorities, the man did not have a history of violence.
Gorton expressed the tragic nature of the incident, emphasizing the impact of multiple murders on family, friends, first responders, and the wider community. The police established the site as a crime scene and assured the public that there was no ongoing threat. Support is being provided to the man’s ex-wife, family, friends, and emergency responders affected by the heartbreaking event.
Although the man and the mother were not in a relationship, authorities are not categorizing the shooting as family violence-related due to their previous acquaintance. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is still ongoing, with police urging anyone in need of assistance to reach out to support services. The devastating event serves as a somber reminder of the profound effects of violence within communities, leaving many to grapple with the repercussions of such senseless acts.