The family of a father shot and killed by a colleague at a grain silo business 200km east of Perth last week has broken its silence, revealing the “huge impact” the “indescribable crime” has had on his loved ones.
Terry Czernowski’s life was ended at the hands of Lachlan Bowles at Moylan Grain Silos where they both worked in the small town of Kellerberrin about 8.40am Thursday.
Almost a week on from the Wheatbelt emergency, which also included a farmer being shot at and Bowles fatally turning a firearm on himself during a standoff with police, Czernowski’s family say they will be picking up the pieces for some time.
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“This horrible tragedy has had a huge impact on Terry’s family and friends, which only time will heal,” the statement issued via WA Police read.
“There has been a lot of speculation about what transpired on that fateful day, which we may never know the outcome.”
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The family said they now require time to “grieve and come to terms with this indescribable crime”.
Czernowski’s loved ones also offered their “heartfelt thanks” to WA Police for their efforts and shared their appreciation for those “who have called, sent flowers and passed on their sympathies”.
Terry Czernowski was fatally shot by his colleague Lachlan Bowles. Credit: 7NEWS
The update came shortly after Czernowski was remembered as a “go-to bloke” by his boss and business owner, Corey Moylan.
“He had an understanding of pretty much every machine … so he had the utmost respect of everyone in the workshop,” Moylan told the ABC.
“He was one of those fellas who just got on with things. It’s just a huge shame.
“He will be missed in so many ways.”
Czernowski has been remembered as a “go-to bloke” by his boss, Corey Moylan. Credit: 7NEWS
Moylan also told how staff had tried to save Czernowski’s life, placing him in a ute to race him to hospital just moments after the dramatic shooting event.
He said his workers have “got a long road ahead of them” to process what they experienced.
During the September 7 emergency, residents in Kellerberrin and its surrounding districts were ordered to stay indoors as the gunman fled the site and made his way through rural properties.
Farmer Rob Linto revealed he was fired at by Bowles, 25, when he drove towards the shooter on a gravel track.
Lachlan Bowles, 25, shot at two people last Thursday, killing a colleague and narrowly missing a farmer. Credit: WA PoliceBowles’ standoff with police came to an end when he turned his weapon on himself. Credit: 7NEWS
“I didn’t think much of it, but then I saw him stop. He had a gun pointed at me as I’m (driving) towards him,” Linto said.
“So as I saw the gun, I thought I’ve got to (accelerate). So I just put the foot down but obviously, as I went past, he’s spun around and lined me up and had a shot.
“So I didn’t stop. I just kept launching. I stopped once, and then I thought I heard a car coming, so I got back in and (was) off.”
A bullet burst through the back of Rob Linto’s cab and went into his car’s roof lining, near his head. Credit: 7NEWS
Linto found a spot where he could get a phone signal before contacting police.
He later realised a bullet had narrowly missed him when it burst through the back of his Toyota LandCruiser’s cab and went into the roof lining, near his head.
Officers from WA Police’s elite Tactical Response Group eventually caught up with Bowles 20km north of the town about 2pm.
Police negotiators tried to convince him to surrender, but he refused and turned his gun on himself.
A motive for the shooting is being investigated by WA’s homicide squad and the small town of about 950 people is still coming to terms with what happened.
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