Four haunting words before mum, daughter shot dead in Perth home

Four haunting words were reportedly heard before a property developer shot his estranged wife’s friend and daughter dead in their Perth home.

A man who shot his estranged wife’s friend and daughter dead inside their home was reportedly on the phone to his own daughter before he pulled the trigger.

Mark Bombara, 63, was hunting for his ex-partner when he killed widow Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18, inside their Perth home on Friday afternoon.

The West Australian has reported one of Bombara’s daughters was on the phone with him and heard someone scream “put the gun down,” followed by several gun shots.

The call with her father was then disconnected and she called police to tell them what she had heard.

It is understood these calls will be crucial evidence in piecing together the horrific double murder-suicide.

Police believe 63-year-old Mark Bombara was searching for his ex-partner before he killed the mother and daughter. Picture: Supplied

Bombara was looking for his estranged wife, who is understood to have left him weeks ago and sought refuge at her friend Ms Petelczyc’s home, but didn’t find her.

He did find Jennifer and Gretl, and shot them dead, before turning the gun on himself.

It was reported on Monday, Bombara, a property developer, had 13 guns stored inside his $4.5 million mansion, which were seized by police on Saturday after the double murder-suicide.

The father-of-four was “known to police” but did not have a history of violence and was a licensed gun owner.

Police heard ‘final shot’ after rushing to scene

Detective Inspector David Gorton said police arrived at the scene of the crime on Friday and heard a final shot.

“We’re aware that police were on the street when the last shot was fired and we believe the last shot was the male taking his own life,” he said.

It’s understood Jennifer and Bombara both died at the Berkeley Crescent residence while Gretl was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where she died on Saturday morning.

“The male discharged a firearm, killing the 59-year-old female, and critically injuring the younger female,” said Detective Inspector Gorton.

“St John provided emergency treatment to the younger female at the house, she was then t

taken to Royal Perth Hospital, but unfortunately, she tragically died.”

He said this crime would be classified as a double murder-suicide and not a domestic violence incident, because the man and the women were not related to one another.

Gretl Petelczyc was rushed to hospital where she died on Saturday morning. Picture: Facebook

She was a talented water polo player studying a Bachelor of Sport. Picture: TikTok

Tightening gun laws

WA Premier Roger Cook told 6PR on Sunday his government – which is already seeking to pass some of the country’s toughest gun laws to reduce the number of guns in the state – would go further if it was deemed necessary.

“We need to obviously reflect on this incident and we will do whatever the police ask us,” Mr Cook said.

“If the police say certain laws will make us safer, well then we will obviously consider that very seriously.”

In February, the government announced laws that would seek to cap the number of guns an individual can own – 10 for farmers and gun club members and five for recreational shooters – and force anyone applying for a licence to undergo a mental health assessment similar to that of a truck driver.

In addition, 11,000 guns have been surrendered as part of the state’s $64 million buyback scheme – more than half of which have come from the metropolitan area.

The laws have not yet passed parliament and are opposed by the state opposition.

Jennifer Petelczyc and her late husband Jon, who died in 2019. Picture: Facebook

Speaking of the crime in question, Mr Cook described the incident as “horrific”.

“(My initial reaction) was one of shock and disbelief,” he said.

“This is a circumstance in which a woman has sought refuge from a friend, and it would appear that, as a result of that, her and her daughter have come to harm — they’re innocent people.”

“It’s early in the investigation, and we need to let the police establish the facts surrounding this particular incident, but by every measure it looks senseless, chilling and absolutely horrific.”

Cook government minister Reece Whitby said the incident was proof urgent gun reform was needed in the state.

“It was an outrageous, horrible crime,” Mr Whitby said, according to the ABC.

“This man, if you could call him that, is a gutless, evil coward.

“Everyone knows what happened here — a man … believed he had a right to harm and threaten women, and it was related to domestic violence.

“It is an outrage.

“Look at the picture of Jennifer and Gretl and tell me we don’t need gun reform in Western Australia.”

– with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Four haunting words before mum, daughter shot dead in Perth home