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Five people have been arrested after a man was shot and an area south-east of Geraldton locked down.
By Brooke RolfeWA Police said that about 10.30am, the five people were taken into custody on Hart Street in Utakarra, near Moonyoonooka, and are assisting police with inquiries.
The arrests came after the public were told to stay away from the rural locality on the outskirts of Geraldton in the Mid West.
“Significant police resources, including local police, detectives and officers from the Tactical Response Group, were deployed to the area where they remained for several hours,” police said. A man was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, a WA Police spokesperson said just after 8am.
“While this incident involves a firearm, there is no information to suggest an ongoing threat to the wider community. “Members of the public are not being asked to be alarmed, however, they should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police. ”An alert was issued just before 3am for people to stay away from the area and wait for further advice.
The initial alert, with scarce detail, came after a 32-year-old man with injures consistent with a gunshot wound had been rushed to Geraldton Regional Hospital about 1am. A spokesperson confirmed he arrived at hospital at 1.58am.
“It was a bang that woke me up,” she told The West Australian. “I checked outside and didn’t see anything, so I went back to bed. ” Owner of nearby Woof’s House Dog Daycare, Leah Reynolds, said police were stationed on Narra Tarra-Moonyoonooka Road between Giles and Allen roads.
“They haven’t told us if they will block the road off or anything, I’ve been on the phone to customers all morning who keep asking if they can get through or not,” she said. “It would be very hard to close because of how busy it is with trucks, there’s not really an alternative way for them to go,” Ms Reynolds said.
Two police cars and a forensic van in the vicinity of Allen Road left the area well before 10am. The area is no longer blocked off. There has also been reports of undercover 4WD police cars in the area and police vans stationed at traffic stop points. Geraldton Airport is within the area police have told the public to stay away from.
Perth Airport has confirmed flights are taking off and landing at Geraldton as normal. Police have not issued any advice to airport staff.
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