Mogumber Hub: Cook speaks out on man allegedly firing rifle inside small country pub, threatening staff

A 41-year-old man has been charged with 17 offences after allegedly discharging a rifle inside a small country town pub in an incident Premier Roger Cook has labelled “very distressing”. The alarming incident sparked a major police operation in the Wheatbelt on Friday evening. The tactical response group and police air wing were sent to Mogumber following reports of a man discharging a firearm inside the local pub on Bindoon-Moora Road. Police say that after entering the premises, the man threatened three staff members before shooting his rifle once into the ground. “When a fourth staff member attempted to intervene, he was threatened and assaulted by the man, who then left the scene,” police said. “A number of police resources responded to the incident, including Gingin Police, Northam Detectives, Police Air Wing and the Tactical Response Group (TRG).” TRG officers arrested the man at a home in New Norcia about 10.40pm. He is due to face 17 charges at Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday. Premier Roger Cook said the incident was an “extraordinary event” for all involved. “This is a very distressing situation. And it must have been incredibly stressful and distressing for the people involved, the members of the staff at that pub, but also just the other patrons,” he told reporters in Collie on Saturday. “This is an extraordinary event and I’m so pleased that the police were able to respond as quickly as they did.” Northam Detectives charged the man with 17 offences including aggravated burglary and commit on a place, three counts of threaten to kill, deprivation of liberty, and discharging a firearm to the danger of, or in a manner to cause fear to, the public or any person. He was also charged with common assault, criminal damage or destruction of property and four counts of pointing a firearm at another person. It will be alleged he was not licensed to possess a weapon or ammunition. Mr Cook also spruiked his government’s long-awaited gun law reforms, saying the incident demonstrated why this reform was crucial. “It underpins the importance of our gun law reform, making sure we reduce the number of guns in the community, making sure that we are continuing to regulate gun owners and their licensing arrangements,” he said. “(They are) really important law reforms and I’m really pleased that they’re in Parliament as we speak.” In a statement to their Facebook, The Mogumber Hub said they would “be closed until further notice, following the incident of a gunman entering our establishment on Friday”. “The welfare of the staff and our patrons is our top priority, and the management team will do everything we can to support them during this time,” it said. “We praise the heroic actions of community members who helped protect our staff and fellow patrons during the tense situation. “Thank you to the West Australian Police Force who rapidly attended to the incident.” In late 2023, 58 people lived in Mogumber, with locals rallying together to buy the tavern, which is now named the Mogumber Hub. According to their website, The Mogumber Hub is a community owned, not-for-profit venue. “Volunteers have worked hard to create the Hub of our community where locals can gather and socialise,” the statement said. “This isolated and unusual incident has shocked us. Mogumber is a resilient community and we support each other. “Our collective strength will ensure the Mogumber Hub reopens so we can once again be together.”