Residents of the small Western Australian community of Osmington are in mourning after seven family members were found dead in a suspected mass shooting.
The bodies of Katrina Miles, her parents Cynda and Peter Miles, who owned the rural property, and her four young children, were found about 5.15am Friday.
The close-knit community, located about 20km from popular tourist destination Margaret River, has revealed their shock at the suspected murder-suicide.
“I love them dearly, they were very good neighbours of mine,” neighbour Felicity Haynes told radio station 2GB.
Police scour a WA rural property where the bodies of seven people were found. Source: SBS
Meg Janes, who lives near the Miles' property, said she heard gunshots at the time of the shooting, but thought it was kangaroos being targeted.
“Something woke me up around 4am. I heard quite a few gunshots and at the time I didn’t take much notice of it. I got up and went to the toilet and I thought, ‘That’s a bit strange, that’s an odd hour to be shooting kangaroos’,” the 68-year-old told The West Australian.
“There’s a lot of kangaroos around so it’s not unusual, although not at that time of the morning. It wasn’t until I saw the police that I thought, ‘Hang on a minute’. (The shots) were separated out, there was quite a long gap between them. It wasn’t one after another.”
Other locals said the family had moved to Osmington from Margaret River several years ago. They were known for their volunteer and charity work.
Phone tip-off
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said in a press conference that a "male person" connected to the property tipped police off about the shooting before officers rushed to the scene.
He said the bodies of two adults were found outside near a building, while five bodies were discovered inside.
He said two firearms were found at the scene, and victims suffered gunshot wounds. The children were aged between eight and 13.
"The loss of any life is tragic, but four children and three adults, this is a significant tragedy," Commissioner Dawson said. "This will be a very large scale and detailed investigation."
He added: "It appears that gunshot wounds are there, but I don't want to go further than that as two firearms have been located.
“This is a tragedy – I don’t think any other words can describe how tragic this is. Police are currently responding to what I can only describe as a horrific incident."
The commissioner would not speculate on the motive.
A local resident who did not want to be named said he understood the property belonged to the grandparents.
"They are a hugely respected family and a great asset to the community," he told AAP.
"It's just absolutely really shocking. I can't imagine just how disturbed someone is how they could do that."
The incident has been described as Australia's worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur massacre.
Investigators scour the scene
Specialist units from Perth, including the Homicide Squad and Forensic Crime Scene Unit, have deployed to the scene.
Police are expected to remain at the residence for an extended period of time. Commissioner Dawson said investigators will be at the scene "for days".
A police chaplain is at the scene to support assisting officers.
Osmington Road is closed as police continue their investigation.
Shockwaves through community
Pamela Townsend, president of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, said the deaths have impacted everyone in the community.
"It's sending shockwaves through the whole community – we’re all linked in one way or another, every family," she told Fairfax.
Cr Townshend said another councillor is organising social workers to support the community.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan tweeted after the incident: "The events in our South West are tragic and shocking. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims, and also with the first responders and investigators as they piece together this tragic set of circumstances."
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
