Craigie shooting: New details in internal investigation launched after man shot by police on Friday night

Police shot a man in the hand after he allegedly aimed a gel blaster at officers. The same resident called triple-0 claiming somebody was “smashing up” his Craigie home. An internal police investigation has been launched after a police officer shot a 54-year-old Craigie resident in the left hand in what is being described as a “serious incident” from about 8.10pm on Friday night. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Leigh McKnight, of the major crime division, said officers were called to a property on Drysdale Road in Craigie amid claims “the property was being smashed up”. When officers arrived, they were confronted by the same triple-0 caller — a 54-year-old man — standing in a carport allegedly aiming what appeared to be a firearm at officers. Two officers attended the home before they took cover behind their police car at the roadside. It is alleged the man refused to put the weapon, which was later discovered to be a gel blaster, down, despite multiple verbal warnings by officers. Both officers drew their firearms before shots were fired at the resident. Police have not confirmed how many shots were fired but said only one officer fired a gun. Det-Sen. Sgt McKnight said the resident received a gunshot wound to his left hand. It is understood the police officer effectively shot the gel blaster out of the man’s hand. He was taken into custody, and then taken by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital under police guard. The man is undergoing a psychiatric assessment. “We know this firearm was a gel blaster — being able to discern that in a split second in the darkness, in the heat of the night, is almost impossible to do,” Det-Sen. Sgt McKnight said. Det-Sen. Sgt McKnight said the officer was aiming for the man’s torso — the same region his left hand was in as he allegedly brandished the gel blaster. As an internal police probe is launched, which is protocol when a firearm is discharged by officers, Det-Sen. Sgt McKnight said he supported the decision of officers. “Although the investigation remains ongoing at this time, I want to reassure the community that the body worn camera vision has been reviewed in its entirety, and these officers did an outstanding job in an incredibly difficult situation,” he said. “They acted accordingly, professionally, in line with policies, procedures and their training. “Every firearm, replica firearm, gel blaster, or 3D firearm, in the hands of the wrong person poses a very real risk to the community and also to our officers.” A police spokesman said the internal affairs unit would have oversight of the major crime division’s investigation. No charges have been laid. Det-Sen. Sgt McKnight said the incident posed a “real and dangerous” threat to the community. “A stray bullet could quite potentially cause harm to multiple community bystanders, neighbours, children at that time of night,” he said. “It’s school holidays, there’s a park adjacent to the property, so a number of people were are walking their dog and seeking exercise at that point in time. “If someone wants to purchase (a gel blaster), they need to be very aware of the reasons why they’re purchasing one and the reasons why they want to use one — it can present a very real risk to themselves and other members of the community,” Det-Sen. Sgt McKnight said. In 2021, the State Government made possessing a gel blaster an offence punishable by a maximum penalty of three years in jail. At the time, Police Minister Paul Papalia said a “tragedy (was) just waiting to happen” because it was difficult to tell the difference between gel blasters and real guns. “When a police officer is responding to a call out, they will be assuming someone is in possession of a firearm,” he said. Lifeline: 13 11 14