Inquest into the Death of David GRAY
Delivered on: 27 May 2026
Delivered at: Perth
Finding of: Acting State Coroner Linton
Recommendations: Nil
Orders/Rules: N/A
Suppression Order:
On the basis it would be contrary to the public interest, I make an Order under s 49(1)(b) of the Coroners Act 1996 (WA) that there be no reporting or publication of any document or evidence that would reveal :
- Police policies and standard operating procedures, tactics or training in relation to the use of force, including but not limited to firearms; or
- The technical aspects of a taser or firearm, being their effective distance and effective positioning, limitations on their effective capabilities, and the effective method of deploying (including drawing or covering) a taser or a firearm.
Summary:
On 22 September 2023, 58 year old David Gray died at Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital (KRH). Mr Gray and his wife had recently celebrated 38 years of marriage. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He died from a gunshot injury to the abdomen, his death caused by the action of a police officer.
On that day, WA Police received an anonymous call advising that a male person was in possession of a gun in the laneway between Whitlock Street and Hopetoun Street, South Kalgoorlie. Three police constables from the Kalgoorlie Police Station were dispatched to the location. They found a person matching the description given by the caller, later identified to be David Gray. Mr Gray was sitting in the laneway with his back against the fence. Mr Gray was holding what appeared to be a black revolver.
After communicating this information over the police radio, the three officers got out of the police vehicle and drew their own firearms, while giving the command to Mr Gray to drop his firearm and to stop moving towards them.
It is apparent from watching BWC footage that the events on that day occurred very quickly, with the timing from the police car arriving at the location to Mr Gray being shot, it was estimated the whole incident took approximately 33 seconds.
Catch Words Suicide : Lawful homicide : Death in police presence : Firearm : Mental health.
Last updated: 3 June 2026