Boy, 13, charged over drive-by shooting at Perth home

Analysis

Why This Matters

The alleged shooting targeted a home where three people were inside at the time, and bullets struck a bedroom window, so the fact nobody was hurt was not guaranteed by events.
The age of the accused, 13, makes the case unusual and will draw attention to how a child allegedly came to be involved with a firearm.
The boy made no bail application, so his custody status will continue until the matter returns to court.

Background

Gosnells sits in Perth's south-eastern suburbs. Drive-by shootings are rare in Australian cities, and strict national firearm laws mean incidents of this kind stand out when they occur, particularly with an alleged offender of this age. The case is being handled by the Perth Children's Court, which deals with defendants under the age of 18.

Key Perspectives

Police: The eight charges laid, including endangering life, unlawful use of a firearm and possession of stolen property, reflect the seriousness with which investigators are treating the alleged attack. The household: Three people were inside the house when the shots were fired, and police reported no injuries, but the damage to a bedroom window and external wall shows how close the incident came to causing harm. Concerns: The matters likely to be examined as the case proceeds include how the teenager came to be in possession of a firearm at 13, and what the CCTV and audio evidence of the alleged shooting shows.

What to Watch

The next appearance in Perth Children's Court, which will confirm the boy's custody arrangements after he did not apply for bail.
How the CCTV recordings and audio of 27 shots are used in evidence.
Whether additional charges or arrests follow from the same incident.

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedBoy, 13, charged over drive-by shooting at Perth homeJust In: “Breaking: Boy, 13, charged over drive-by shooting at Perth home.”
SupportedPolice allege 27 shots fired at Gosnells houseJust In: “CCTV footage captured audio of the alleged drive-by shooting, with the sound of 27 shots fired on the recording.”
Supportedteenager faces eight charges including endangering lifeJust In: “charged him with eight offences including unlawful use of a firearm, endangering life, possession of stolen property and no authority to drive.”
SupportedA 13-year-old boy has been charged over an alleged drive-by shooting at a home in Perth's eastJust In: “A 13-year-old boy has been charged after a drive-by shooting at a home in Perth's east.”
Supportedpolice reporting multiple shots were fired at the house in the early hours of SaturdayJust In: “Police say multiple shots were fired at a house on Bert Street in Gosnells at about 12:40am on Saturday.”
SupportedThree people were inside the home at the time, but no injuries were reportedJust In: “three people were inside at the time, no injuries were reported.”
SupportedPolice allege multiple shots were fired at a house on Bert Street in Gosnells, in Perth's east, at about 12:40am on SaturdayJust In: “Police say multiple shots were fired at a house on Bert Street in Gosnells at about 12:40am on Saturday.”
SupportedBullets struck a bedroom window and an external wallJust In: “Bullets struck a bedroom window and external wall”
SupportedCCTV footage captured audio of the alleged drive-by shooting, with the sound of 27 shots heard on the recordingJust In: “CCTV footage captured audio of the alleged drive-by shooting, with the sound of 27 shots fired on the recording.”
SupportedThe teenager was arrested on Monday and charged with eight offences, including unlawful use of a firearm, endangering life, possession of stolen property and no authority to driveJust In: “Police arrested the teenager on Monday and charged him with eight offences including unlawful use of a firearm, endangering life, possession of stolen property and no authority to drive.”
SupportedHe appeared briefly in Perth Children's Court and did not apply for bailJust In: “The 13-year-old appeared briefly in Perth Children's Court and did not apply for bail.”