The tragic double murder-suicide in the leafy Perth suburb of Floreat has sparked controversy over the response of Western Australia Police to concerns raised by the family of the perpetrator, Mark Bombara. The 62-year-old man shot Jennifer Petelczyc and her 18-year-old daughter Gretl before turning the gun on himself last Friday.
Prior to the horrific incident, both Ms. Bombara and her daughter Ariel had reportedly raised concerns about Mr. Bombara’s violent behavior. Ariel claimed to have spoken with police on three separate occasions between March 30 and April 2, expressing an “imminent threat” to their lives due to her father’s history of violence and access to firearms. She also alleged that she was denied a 72-hour restraining order against her father.
Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth criticized the response of WA Police, stating on ABC Breakfast that it appeared the women did not receive the necessary support. However, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch defended the actions of the force, stating that they had acted on the complaints raised by Ms. Bombara and Ariel.
Commissioner Blanch explained that a family violence report was taken, triggering a risk assessment and referral to the family and domestic violence response team. He emphasized that all necessary protocols were followed in response to the information provided by the family.
While Commissioner Blanch expressed concern over Ariel’s account of her interactions with the police, he maintained that the force had followed proper procedures. WA Police Minister Paul Papalia announced that an investigation would be conducted into the events leading up to the tragedy but noted that there were no formal reports or complaints about family violence from the Bombara family prior to the shooting.
The heartbreaking incident has raised important questions about the handling of domestic violence cases and the effectiveness of support services. As the community mourns the loss of Jennifer Petelczyc and Gretl, there is a renewed call for improved responses to domestic violence concerns to prevent similar tragedies in the future.