A woman and a child escaped the house as a man was shot dead on a Keysbrook orchard property, and police found a man known to him in a parked car
A 44-year-old man was shot dead on a rural property at Keysbrook, about 70 kilometres south-east of Perth, on Saturday morning. A woman in her 40s and a child were inside the house and fled without injury. A 38-year-old man known to the victim is in custody, and police say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Live updates
- 2.20pm AWSTLatest
Police say the incident is contained and there is no ongoing threat to the public. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating; a 38-year-old man known to the victim remains in custody and has not been charged.
- 1.10pm AWST
Police confirm a 44-year-old man has died after being shot. A woman in her 40s and a child who were in the house escaped unhurt. A firearm is seized.
- Mid-morning AWST
Tactical officers search a rural property on Scarp Road, Keysbrook. Police say one person has been taken into custody and ask the public to avoid the area.
This page checks for new updates automatically.
Three things to know
- Homicide Squad detectives have taken over the investigation. No one has been charged, and police have not named the dead man or the man in custody.
- Police found the 38-year-old inside a vehicle parked on the property, and seized a firearm from the house.
- Police say the incident is contained. They had earlier told people to keep away from the area as tactical officers searched the property.
A 44-year-old man has been shot dead on a rural property in Keysbrook, in Perth’s outer south, and a 38-year-old man known to him is in police custody.
Police were called to the property on Scarp Road, about 35 kilometres north-east of Mandurah, on Saturday morning. They said a woman in her 40s and a child were inside the house when the shots were fired, and both escaped without injury.
Officers found the 38-year-old man inside a vehicle parked on the property. Police said he was assisting them with their inquiries. He has not been charged.
A firearm was seized from the house.
What did police do?
Tactical Response Group officers moved onto the property, and the public was told to stay away. Aerial vision showed armed officers going through the house, shipping containers and tin sheds on the large block, which includes an orchard. At least eight police vehicles, forensic officers and three St John ambulance crews attended.
By early afternoon police said the incident had been contained and there was no ongoing threat to public safety. Homicide Squad detectives are leading the investigation, and police said more information would be released when available.
Who was involved?
Police have not named the man who died or the man in custody, and have not said how the two knew each other or what led to the shooting. They have not said who owned the firearm.
Why does this matter beyond Keysbrook?
Fatal shootings are rare in Western Australia, and this one comes in the same week an inquest in Perth heard how police missed chances to act on warnings about a gunman’s firearms before he killed a mother and daughter in Floreat. There is no suggestion the two cases are connected.
VNN will update this story as more is confirmed.
How we got here
The key moments that brought this story into focus. Open any moment for detail.
14 November 2026Shooting at Keysbrook
A 44-year-old man is shot dead on a rural property; a 38-year-old man is taken into custody.
November 2026Floreat inquest
An inquest in Perth hears that police missed chances to act on warnings about a gunman's firearms before the Floreat killings.
What happens next
Homicide Squad detectives will continue to question the man in custody and examine the scene and the seized firearm. Police will decide whether to lay charges; if a charge is laid, the accused would be expected to appear before a Perth court. A post-mortem examination will be carried out. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sources
- VNN
VNN never names people who give us information in confidence. How we protect sources and tips.
That is the story in a minute. For the evidence, context and what happens next, switch to the full story.
Comments
0 commentsCommunity rules
To read and join the conversation, please agree to our rules.
You have agreed to the community rules.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.