An alleged gunman accused of shooting a man in Western Australia, sending a large area into lockdown, has been identified.
On Wednesday about 1am, police responded to reports a 32-year-old man had been shot at Moonyoonooka, on the eastern edge of Geraldton.
The alleged victim was rushed to hospital and officers placed the area, which is 375km north of Perth, into lockdown while investigations were carried out.
Hours later, about 10.30am, police made five arrests in Hart St, Utakarra, roughly 9km away.
Christopher John Shanks, 30, from Wonthella has since been charged with an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm and wilfully destroying evidence.
He faced the Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody.
Police said these were currently the only charges laid in relation to the incident, with inquiries ongoing.
It comes after they confirmed a gun allegedly used was yet to be found.
A police spokesperson said the incident was believed to involve people known to one another, with residents being told to stay away from the area.
Acting Superintendent Ben Huggett told media substantial police resources had been sent to the area after the 32-year-old was found with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the leg.
Superintendent Huggett said the alleged shooter and victim were known to each other, but would not confirm how they knew each other or why the man was shot.
He said police have not located the gun that was used in the incident.
“There is no information … to suggest there’s an ongoing threat to the community, nonetheless any incident involving a firearm is serious,” he said.
“It’s still early days.
“By all accounts, we’re dealing with a genuine firearm.”
One motorist approaching Perth from the north told ABC Radio she saw a fleet of unmarked police LandCruisers speeding northbound with lights flashing early on Wednesday morning.
Images from the scene show forensics offices combing country roads.
State Attorney-General Tony Buti told media on Wednesday he understood the injured man was shot with pellets rather than a bullet.
“All I know is that there was one person that was injured. Pellets, I think, were shot,” he said.
“I think there are three offenders, and the police will provide an update, I’m sure.”
Geraldton Airport is within the area police have locked down, but flights are unaffected at this stage.
A WA Police Mid West region spokesperson said there was “no information to suggest an ongoing threat to the wider community”.
The developing situation was a “serious incident involving people known to each other” at Moonyoonooka, and a man had been taken to hospital with a gunshot wound, police said.
“His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Significant police resources have been deployed to the areas of Moonyoonooka and Utakarra, and inquiries are ongoing,” the police spokesperson said.
“While this incident involves a firearm, there is no information to suggest an ongoing threat to the wider community.”
Police told the public to be vigilant but not alarmed and to stay away from the area.
Read related topics:Perth