The police in Perth are investigating a double homicide after a man reportedly shot and killed his ex-partner and their daughter before committing suicide at a home in the city’s west.
It’s believed that Mark Bombara, 63, was looking for his former partner when he pulled out a gun and killed Jennifer Petelczak and her daughter, Gretl, at their home on Berkeley Crescent.
According to the police, Jennifer, who was 59 years old, was a friend of Bombara’s former partner.
Although Bombara’s former partner wasn’t at home when the incident occurred, the two women, as well as the man’s daughter, were reportedly shot and killed violently.
9News reports that the man’s former partner sought refuge at the home of her friend in Floreat.
According to WA Today, Bombara went to the home after he learned that his former partner had taken refuge there. The police are also looking into whether one of the women had been tied up during the incident. Although Bombara had no previous history of violence, he was known to the police.
According to the police, Bombara was a licensed firearm owner in WA. His neighbors in Mosman Park said that they often heard yelling from the house.
It’s believed that the couple had separated recently. The police also confirmed that Bombara’s former wife was helping with their investigation.
Detective David Gorton said that the tragic incident had a great impact on the families and the people who responded to the scene.
However, the police are not treating it as a case of domestic violence.
This morning, the police confirmed that the teenager who was critically injured during the incident died in hospital.
In a message to the community, Mayor Basil Zempilas of Perth said that the incident had left the local community in shock and grief. He noted that his family had a connection with the victims.
The residents of Floreat extended their condolences to the families of the victims.
The police also deployed a large number of resources to the area to help with the investigation. Some of these included the tactical response team and specialist detectives.
The police noted that they would continue to support the individuals who were affected by the tragic incident.