A day before a volunteer paramedic fatally shot his colleague, opened fire on passing cars and unleashed a massive manhunt, he sat down for a quiet lunch at a local bakery and chatted politely with the staff.
Lachlan Bowles, 25, shot father-of-one Terry Czernowski at Moylan Grain Silos – where the pair worked – around 8.40am on Thursday before fleeing and eventually turning the gun on himself.
Tony Downs, owner of Kellerberrin Pie Shop and Bakery, reels after the day’s tragic events in the small Wheat Belt community – 200 km east of Perth.
“He was here having lunch yesterday,” Mr. Downs recalled The Western Australia. “I said, ‘How are you?’ and he was ‘completely fine’.
“He’s always been a quiet guy, but you don’t expect him to turn around, pick up a gun and shoot someone.
“Obviously something happened at work and it triggered him. He went there and shot him, along with two other people.’
Volunteer paramedic Lachlan Bowles, 25 (pictured), shot and killed the father of a child Terry Czernowski at about 8:40 a.m. Thursday before fleeing.
After the murder WA police launched a manhunt for Bowles before tactical police cornered him just outside Kellerberrin on a rural estate.
He wore a camouflage uniform, waved a Nazi flag and carried a swastika.
Police sealed off the area and helicopters were ordered not to fly overhead for fear they would be shot down. Police said at least one car was fired upon as Bowles fled.
Armed officers cornered Bowles in a field before shooting himself. Police later confirmed that he had died.
Bowles, who has a firearms license and had two guns registered, was said to be armed with at least one gun with a range of 2 miles.
Local said he loved guns and was a member of the Kellerberrin gun club, even winning awards for marksmanship.
He had dreamed of following others in his family and serving in the army.
But those plans were thrown into disarray in 2016 when he failed a psychological evaluation and was rejected.
Terry Czernowski, father of one child, was shot dead at Moylan Granary’s
Armed officers cornered Bowles in a field before shooting himself. Police later confirmed that he had died
It’s unclear what Bowles’ motive was, but WA regional commander Rod Wilde said police believe it was a workplace dispute.
Bowles, a volunteer ambulance officer from St John’s who is believed to have had no criminal record, had two registered firearms and carried a high-powered rifle and pistol during his rampage.
A local resident told the Daily Mail Australia that Bowles went to his workplace at Moylan Grain Silos in Kellerberrin and “shot somebody about 25 times.”
“My friends were working down the street and heard some gunshots and then the city was swarming with police,” he said.
Mitchell Harvey, a local sheep shearer, said a farmer miraculously survived after approaching Bowles.
“A farmer who was checking his pasture drove past him and asked if he needed a lift and he fired on his door,” Mr Harvey told police. Western Australian.
“I saw him on his way to work this morning. I had no idea he went there to kill someone.’
Local residents received an alarming text message earlier today when the situation escalated.
All facilities and public events in the Shire of Merredin, including Kellerberrin, were canceled on Thursday as armored police cars patrolled the tense scene
Mr Bowles is a Volunteer Ambulance Officer of St John WA and was decorated for his services in 2021
Father of one Terry Czernowski was shot dead at Moylan Granary’s
The residents of Kellerberrin, 125 miles east of Perth, were told by police to stay indoors after gunfire was fired at a grain silo in the area around 8:40am on Thursday.
Residents in the area are advised to remain alert. It has been confirmed that one man has since died and the homicide department is investigating,” police said.
All facilities and public events in the Shire of Merredin, which includes Kellerberrin, were canceled until further notice as armored police cars patrolled the tense scene.
Bowles was a volunteer ambulance officer of St John WA and was decorated for his services to the community on Australia Day in 2021.
Locals described Bowles as a ‘good boy’, expressing their shock at reports that he was allegedly involved in the shooting.
“He was a good boy from a good family,” one wrote.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately.
For confidential 24-hour support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Bowles was a volunteer ambulance officer of St John WA and was awarded for his services to the community on Australia Day in 2021
The locals of Kellerberrin received a text warning them to stay indoors while the incident unfolded