Floreat shooting: Man who fatally shot two women then himself knew older victim ‘through mutual contact’

Rebecca Le May
The Nightly
Police forensics and detectives at a home in Berkeley Cresent, in Floreat, Perth.
Police forensics and detectives at a home in Berkeley Cresent, in Floreat, Perth. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Nightly

A man who fatally shot two women at a Floreat home knew the older victim through a mutual contact and took his own life after committing the horrific crime, WA Police have revealed.

Dozens of police swarmed Berkeley Crescent about 4.30pm after reports someone had opened fire inside a house on the street.

When officers arrived, two people — believed to be a man and a woman — were found dead.

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A younger woman was seriously injured and taken to Royal Perth Hospital, where they remained in a critical condition on Friday night.

On Saturday morning, WA Police confirmed the third person, a woman, had died.

“A female who was conveyed to hospital yesterday afternoon has since died,” a WA Police spokeswoman said.

“Three people are now deceased in relation to this incident.”

Police later revealed the man was aged in his 60s and killed himself while the older woman was aged in her 50s.

The younger woman’s age and relationship to the two people is yet to emerge.

A press conference about the incident will be held later on Saturday.

Neighbours said a mother and her two adult daughters live at the address.

One neighbour described the family as “just normal, lovely professional people”.

“There were a couple of different cars there today (parked at the house),” they said.

A man who fatally shot two women at a Floreat home knew the older victim through a mutual contact and took his own life after committing the horrific crime, WA Police have revealed.
A man who fatally shot two women at a Floreat home knew the older victim through a mutual contact and took his own life after committing the horrific crime, WA Police have revealed. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Nightly

Another neighbour, David, said his daughter heard gunshots from his backyard while she was outside playing with their dog.

“She heard the gunshots and then she ran inside and locked the doors and waited until we got home. She said she just knew they were gunshots,” he said.

“I think she said it was three or four shots.

“We know the family (at that address) reasonably well and just hope they are OK.

“People in this area are really nice and friendly.”

 Floreat incident.
Floreat incident. Credit: 7NEWS/Supplied

Another neighbour in the street — who was close to the family and did not want to be named — said he was shaken up over the incident.

“They’re lovely people, and now we’re working out how to explain what’s happened to our daughters,” he said.

The street was cordoned off between Kirkdale Avenue and Linden Gardens as police responded.

A police spokeswoman said on Friday night that the incident had been contained and there were no ongoing threats to the public.

“WA Police will continue to provide support and assistance to the family, friends and first responders affected by this tragic incident,” the Force said in a statement on Saturday.

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