A large-scale police operation is continuing in Western Australia's Mid West region, with a gunman still at large more than 36 hours after a woman was shot in the town of Mullewa.
Expanding Search for Experienced Bushman
Kenneth John Giles, aged 58, has now spent two nights evading authorities after allegedly shooting a woman in the hand on Wednesday afternoon and fleeing into nearby bushland. The incident occurred at a property in Mullewa, located roughly 100 kilometres east of Geraldton and 450 kilometres north of Perth.
Police have deployed significant air and ground resources across an 800-hectare search zone, an area known to contain numerous abandoned shacks and old mine shafts. Mid West-Gascoyne District Superintendent Neil Vanderplank has made a direct plea for Giles to surrender.
"This is a personal plea to Kenneth John Giles to please hand himself into police, make himself known," Supt Vanderplank stated. "His safety and that of the community is paramount to WA Police."
Victim Flown to Perth for Surgery
The woman who was shot, aged in her 40s, was initially treated at Geraldton Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. It is understood she has since been transferred by air to Royal Perth Hospital for corrective surgery.
Superintendent Vanderplank confirmed that several other people, including a young child, were present at the property when the shooting occurred. All have been removed from the scene and no other injuries were reported. Police are still investigating the exact relationship between Giles and the victim.
Giles is believed to have fled the scene in a white Nissan Patrol utility with the Western Australian registration 1BIY336. He is described as approximately 173cm tall with a medium build, brown hair, and brown eyes. Police say he is an experienced bushman and was well-known in the Mullewa community, having lived there his whole life.
Community on Alert as Police Commit Major Resources
Acting Inspector Tom Micklewright said police were treating the incident "extremely seriously" and had committed all necessary resources, including the Tactical Response Group and the Police Air Wing. Despite public assistance, there have been no confirmed sightings of Giles since he disappeared.
"We have nothing to suggest that he's departed the area, so that's why we're mainly focusing in the area around Mullewa," Supt Vanderplank explained. The search parameters have been expanded based on intelligence.
While some long-term Mullewa residents expressed little personal concern, describing Giles as someone they had known for years, local authorities urged vigilance. Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr said the incident was "understandably unsettling" for the close-knit community.
The City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Jerry Clune, noted the town had gone quiet, with residents being cautious and looking out for one another. St John WA remains on standby at the Mullewa Police Station.
Police have warned the public not to approach Kenneth John Giles but to immediately call triple-zero (000) with any information. Anyone in the Mullewa vicinity is advised to be aware of their surroundings and report any sign of the white Nissan Patrol.
