Walkaway farmer charged over air rifle shooting of labourer

A Walkaway farmer was arrested on Tuesday night after allegedly shooting a man in the face with an air rifle while he was trying to evict him from his property. The 55-year-old man was taken into police custody after an injured man checked himself in to Geraldton Hospital shortly after 7pm with a facial wound below his eye. According to Det-Sen. Sgt Bruce McDonald, he told hospital staff he had been shot after arguing with the farmer, who he had been working for as a labourer and living on the farm. “Police understand the man had been trying to evict the 38-year-old male from the farm when they began arguing,” he said. “During the altercation he’s armed himself with an air rifle and discharged it. The projectile pierced the cheek of the male.” Detectives were alerted by hospital staff and attended the Walkaway farm where the accused man was taken into custody and the weapon seized. He was charged with acts or omissions causing bodily harm, discharging a firearm to cause harm or fear and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said the incident should serve as a reminder for people not to take matters into their own hands. “If a dispute is escalating, call the police, that’s what we’re here for,” he said. “Any incident with a firearm has the potential to cause fatal injury. “ They’re both lucky the injuries were not more serious.” He said the injured man was discharged later that night and the farmer would make his first appearance in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on August 12.