Inquest into the Deaths of Terry James CZERNOWSKI and Lachlan Richard Francis BOWLES
Delivered on: 30 March 2026
Delivered at: Perth
Finding of: Coroner Jenkin
Recommendation: Yes
Recommendation No. 1
In order to enhance the effectiveness of Tactical Response Group (TRG) negotiators, the Western Australian Police Force should consider liaising with suitably qualified mental health clinicians to determine:
- what mental health training should be delivered to TRG negotiators, in addition to the Gatekeeper and Lifeline training courses which are already being delivered; and
- whether as part of the TRG’s own capability development, mental health specialists could feasibly provide remote or command post advisory support to negotiators during complex incidents including those involving mental health issues.
Orders/Rules: No
Suppression Order: Yes
On the basis that it would be contrary to the public interest, I make an order under section 49(1)(b) of the Coroners Act 1996 (WA), that there be no reporting or publication of:
- The name, picture or any other identifying features of the witnesses referred to as Tactical Operator 02 and Tactical Operator 116;
- Details about the decision making criteria, response times, resourcing and any other operational aspects of the Western Australia Police Force (WA Police) Tactical Response Group (TRG), except insofar as is necessary for the Acting Deputy State Coroner to comment on communication issues, and the adequacy of mental health supports relevant to the TRG’s attendance on Mr Lachlan Bowles;
- The methodologies, response times or resourcing of the WA Police TRG Negotiators Unit;
- The sections of the WA Police Manual that are applicable to the TRG;
- The details of any of the versions of the WA Police Firearms Policy; and
- The details of any of the versions of the WA Police Emergency Driving Policy and Guidelines, including, but not limited to any cap on the speed at which officers are authorised to drive.
Summary: This was a joint inquest into the deaths of Lachlan Richard Francis Bowles (Lachlan) and Terry James Czernowski (Terry). At the time of their respective deaths, Terry was 44 years of age and Lachlan was 25 years of age.
For reasons which cannot be adequately explained, on the morning of 7 September 2023, Lachlan drove to his workplace in Kellerberrin where he fired shots at his workmate, Terry, who subsequently died. Lachlan then made his way to a wheatfield near Morley Road in Kellerberrin, where he was subsequently located by members of Western Australia Police Force’s (WA Police) Tactical Response Group (TRG).
During lengthy negotiations with police, Lachlan gave up three of his four firearms. However, despite repeated requests, Lachlan refused to give up his fourth firearm (a rifle), which he used to take his life.
After considering of the available evidence the Deputy State Coroner was satisfied that:
- The deployment of the TRG was rapid, efficient, and appropriate and all that all necessary resources (including a drone, the police helicopter, an armoured vehicle, a communications trailer, and other TRG vehicles) were appropriately deployed to the scene;
- Attending Police Officers (i.e.: the police negotiators and TRG officers) conducted themselves in a highly professional and appropriate manner in accordance with relevant legislation and WA Police policies, procedures, and training doctrine;
- The WA Police negotiating team (and in particular the primary police negotiator) conducted a highly skilled and patient negotiation with Lachlan over a period of about 4.5 hours, during which Lachlan was persuaded to surrender three of his four firearms in return for bottles of water;
- None of the actions of the police who conducted negotiations with Lachlan, or the TRG officers who fired less-lethal distraction devices at Lachlan as he moved a rifle under his chin had caused or contributed to Lachlan’s death. Instead the Deputy State Coroner found that, for reasons unknown, after killing Terry, Lachlan took his life by shooting himself in the head; and
- Nationalist Racist Violent Extremism ideology (including Nazi ideology) was not the driving force behind Lachlan’s actions.
The Acting Deputy State Coroner made one recommendation.
Catch Words: Death in police presence : Tactical Response Group : Mental Health issues : Homicide : Suicide
Last updated: 22 April 2026