Kelmscott man charged after pen gun shots put suburb in lockdown
A Kelmscott man has been arrested after firing a homemade pen gun at a tree in his backyard, sparking a massive police response.
The south-eastern suburb was put into lockdown on Thursday April 11 amid reports of a gun being fired.
A member of the public reported what they thought was a gunshot noise to police just after 2pm on Slee Avenue, near Kelmscott Senior High School.
The school was put in lockdown and a resident told 6PR radio, "our street was just chaos, there were cars everywhere and people wondering what was going on."
The Tactical Response Group attended and found a homemade pen gun in a tree in the property's backyard.
"A tree stump in the yard showed evidence of bullet holes, consistent with occupants of the home shooting at the tree," a WA Police spokeswoman said.
Police will allege a 36-year-old man discharged the homemade gun about 12.40pm at his property and as a result charged him with discharge firearm to the danger or to cause fear to the public and unlicensed possession of a firearm.
He is due to appear in the Armadale Court on Thursday.
- with Hannah Barry