Moonyoonooka police lockdown: Geraldton area sealed off after 32yo gunshot victim taken to hospital

A man has been shot and an area south-east of Geraldton has been locked down as police rally to a “serious incident” believed to involve people known to each other.

The public have been told to stay away and significant police resources are on their way to Moonyoonooka, a rural locality on the outskirts of Geraldton in the Mid West.

“A man has been conveyed to hospital with a gunshot wound. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening,” a WA Police spokesperson said just after 8am on Wednesday.

“While this incident involves a firearm, there is no information to suggest an ongoing threat to the wider community.

“Members of the public are not being asked to be alarmed, however, they should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.”

Police are patrolling the Moonyoonooka and Utakarra areas after an alert was issued just before 3am for people to stay away from the area and wait for further advice.

The initial alert, with scarce detail, came after a 32-year-old man with injures consistent with a gunshot wound had been rushed to Geraldton Regional Hospital about 1am.

St John Ambulance was called following reports of a person with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

A spokesperson confirmed he arrived at hospital at 1.58am.

A local who lives on Giles Road said that she was jolted awake by a bang about 1am.

“It was a bang that woke me up,” she told The West Australian. “I checked outside and didn’t see anything, so I went back to bed.”

Owner of nearby Woof’s House Dog Daycare, Leah Reynolds, said police were stationed on Narra Tarra-Moonyoonooka Road between Giles and Allen roads.

“They haven’t told us if they will block the road off or anything, I’ve been on the phone to customers all morning who keep asking if they can get through or not,” she said.

The main road, which is a major channel for semi trailers carrying freight, remains open.

“It would be very hard to close because of how busy it is with trucks, there’s not really an alternative way for them to go,” Ms Reynolds said.

Two police cars and a forensic van in the vicinity of Allen Road left the area well before 10am. The area is no longer blocked off.

There has also been reports of undercover 4WD police cars in the area and police vans stationed at traffic stop points.

Geraldton Airport is within the area police have told the public to stay away from. Perth Airport has confirmed flights are taking off and landing at Geraldton as normal.

A flight that departed Perth at 5.30am landed in Geraldton just before 6.30am as scheduled.

Police have not issued any advice to airport staff.

A Perth Airport spokesperson said planes may be held in bays if any issues arose.

More to come.