The family of a father-of-one who was shot dead at work by a Nazi flag-waving gunman have broken their silence over the “terrible tragedy” that occurred.
Terry Czernowski, 44, was killed at 8.40am on Thursday after Lachlan Bowles shot him at Moylan Grain Silos in Kellerberrin, Western Australia.
Bowles, dressed in camouflage, then fled in his car and evaded police for eight hours before being cornered in a wheat field and turning the gun on himself.
Mr Czernowski’s family have now spoken out about the day after they have to collect their belongings and care for the single father’s child.
“There has been much speculation about what happened on that fateful day, the outcome of which we may never know,” the family said in a statement released through police on Wednesday.
The family of Terry Czernowski has broken their silence since he was shot at work, saying they may never know what led to the 44-year-old’s death.
Lachlan Bowles, 25, went on the rampage in Kellerberrin, a small town in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region, on Thursday morning, ending in a standoff against police
‘This terrible tragedy has had a huge impact on Terry’s family and friends, which only time will heal.’
Bowles and Mr. Czernowski had worked together at the silo before the shooting, and rumors are now swirling in the town of 900 about what went wrong.
Mr Czernowski’s family thanked Western Australia Police for their efforts to end the Bowles siege and extend it to everyone who had since contacted them.
“The family would like to sincerely thank those who called, sent flowers and passed on their condolences,” the statement said.
Bowles, a former volunteer ambulance officer, was described as a “model citizen” before the attack by those who knew him.
After shooting Mr Czernowski, he evaded police for more than eight hours before coming to a standoff in a wheat field.
In his final moments, Bowles asked police if he could call his mother, to whom he tearfully apologized while expressing his regret and asking for forgiveness.
Heavily armed police tried to convince Bowles to put down his firearm before the gunman turned the gun on himself.
Bowles wore a camouflage uniform and a swastika and waved a Nazi flag.
Bowles and Mr Czernowski’s boss, Corey Moylan, also spoke out after the incident, describing the men as part of his ‘go team’ of workers.
He remembered Mr. Czernowski as a “fantastic” man who “made us laugh unintentionally, without even trying.”
“He was one of those guys who just got on with it… it’s just a big shame,” he said ABC news on Wednesday.
The father of one was on long-term leave this year and planned to spend it with his young daughter.
Mr Czernowski’s colleagues who were present during the shooting tried to save him, but he died before they could take him to hospital
Owner of Moylan Grain Silos Corey Moylan says both men were crucial members of their close-knit team
Mr Moylan added that it is “hard to blame Bowles after working together for about four years.”
“This is with the utmost respect for both families involved; It’s pretty hard to dislike the man who caused this massive event,” Mr Moylan said.
The distraught business owner described how other employees rushed to help Czernowski after the shooting.
“They threw Terry in the car to try to get him to hospital, which will be traumatic for the boys involved for years to come,” he said.
“So if they take the initiative and do that… they’ll be friends for life, but… they still have a long way to go from what they’ve seen.”
A local resident told Daily Mail Australia that Bowles went to his workplace at Moylan Grain Silos in Kellerberrin and “shot someone about 25 times.”
“My friends were working down the street and heard some gunshots and then the city was crawling with police,” he said.
Police closed 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 shot at as Bowles fled.
Bowles’ death is expected to be treated as a death in the presence of police, and if so, the case will be subject to a coronial inquest.
Police have said the incident will be investigated by their internal affairs and homicide unit, according to standard procedures.
After an hours-long chase with police, Bowles fled to a wheat pasture, where he asked to call his mother before turning the gun on himself
Bowles shot himself during police negotiations (above) after evading their arrest for more than eight hours
Kellerberrin residents were told by police to stay indoors after gunshots were fired at a grain silo in the area