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Kenneth John Giles: Police scale back search as manhunt for accused Mullewa gunman reaches its 10th day

Sally Q DaviesGeraldton Guardian
The police manhunt for accused Mullewa shooter Kenneth John Giles has entered its seventh day.
Camera IconThe police manhunt for accused Mullewa shooter Kenneth John Giles has entered its seventh day. Credit: 7NEWS, WA Police

WA Police have scaled back their manhunt for accused Mullewa gunman Kenneth John Giles as the search enters its 10th day on Friday.

Specialised taskforces, which included the police air wing and tactical response group, were sent to the Mid West to help local officers search, but WA Police confirmed late on Thursday that the extra resources were no longer involved.

“They remain available to assist if required,” a police spokesperson said.

“A dedicated investigative team remains committed to locating Mr Giles and bringing this matter to a safe resolution.”

It is alleged Mr Giles shot his partner in the hand on a property on Urawa Road, north of Mullewa, on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 7.

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Kenneth John Giles is accused of shooting a woman in Mullewa.
Camera IconKenneth John Giles is accused of shooting a woman in Mullewa. Credit: WA Police/TheWest
Police search in Mullewa, for the missing Gunman. Picture 7NEWS
Camera IconPolice search in Mullewa, for the missing Gunman. Picture 7NEWS Credit: 7NEWS

The 58-year-old is accused of fleeing the scene in a white Nissan Patrol, registration 1BIY336. According to the latest reports from police, there have been no confirmed sightings of him since.

Police say the victim has undergone surgery and is “recovering well”.

On Monday, Mid West-Gascoyne Police Acting Supt Ben Huggett made another direct appeal to Mr Giles to hand himself in.

“This has gone on long enough. You must be uncomfortable out there. You must be anxious, which is why we want to help you end this safely and peacefully,” he said.

“We do not want anyone else to get hurt.”

“WA Police continue to pursue every investigative avenue to locate Kenneth Giles,” a WA Police spokesperson said on Thursday.

Acting Supt Huggett confirmed 17 firearms had been seized from multiple properties and Mr Giles was believed to be armed. He does not hold a firearms licence, but police are refusing to say whether he has ever had one.

About 5.20pm, Wednesday 7 January 2026, police received a report of a firearm incident in the vicinity of Mullewa. It’s believed a man and a woman, who are known to each other, were involved in an altercation, when a firearm was discharged at a residence on Urawa Road. The man fled the area with the firearm, and it’s believed he is travelling in a white Nissan Patrol Utility – with WA registration ‘1BIY336’. The man is 58-year-old Kenneth John GILES. He is described as approximately 173cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes. A significant amount of police resources, including Tactical Response Group Officers, have been deployed to the area. The woman has been conveyed to hospital via ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained. Members of the public in the Mullewa area are advised to be aware of their surroundings and on the lookout for the vehicle of interest.
Camera IconAbout 5.20pm, Wednesday 7 January 2026, police received a report of a firearm incident in the vicinity of Mullewa. It’s believed a man and a woman, who are known to each other, were involved in an altercation, when a firearm was discharged at a residence on Urawa Road. The man fled the area with the firearm, and it’s believed he is travelling in a white Nissan Patrol Utility – with WA registration ‘1BIY336’. The man is 58-year-old Kenneth John GILES. He is described as approximately 173cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes. A significant amount of police resources, including Tactical Response Group Officers, have been deployed to the area. The woman has been conveyed to hospital via ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained. Members of the public in the Mullewa area are advised to be aware of their surroundings and on the lookout for the vehicle of interest. Credit: WA Police/WA Police

Police confirmed that multiple shots were fired during the incident, which was reportedly sparked when Mr Giles attended a family gathering to which he had not been invited. Two children, another man, and an older woman were also at the property at the time.

WA Police believe Mr Giles is still in the Mid West-Gascoyne region, but have not ruled out that he might have fled interstate.

“We are exploring all options, including that he’s left the State. We believe that he is most likely still within Western Australia and still within the Mid West-Gascoyne, which is why we are concentrating our efforts extensively to this region,” Acting Supt Huggett said.

Police conceded Mr Giles’ strong survival skills were making their search for him more challenging.

He was described as a skilled and experienced bushman who worked as a farmhand.

Police continue to urge anyone with any information in relation Mr Giles’ whereabouts to contact police immediately on 131 444 or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Reports can be made anonymously.

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