Kalgoorlie man, 20, dies after alleged armed break-in turns violent

A 20-year-old Goldfields man has died in Royal Perth Hospital following an altercation with the owner of a home he broke into while armed with a machete.

The homeowner, his wife and their child were in their house in Boulder on Friday morning when Tyrone Smith entered their property at about 10.15am.

Tyrone Smith’s parents Kathleen O’Loughlin and Tyrone Smith Sr in Perth on Wednesday.Credit: 6PR

Police said the owner confronted Smith and an altercation ensued, during which Smith received serious injuries.

He was flown to Royal Perth Hospital while the male homeowner, who also received serious injuries, was taken to Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.

Smith’s family, who travelled to Perth to be with their dying son, are now demanding answers about what happened.

“At the end of the day, a person who dies because of a violent act of another is the victim. It doesn’t matter whether they are white or black,” Smith’s mother Kathleen O’Loughlan said.

“We are hopeful that the police will get to the bottom of what happened, and how it came to pass that my son died in a house on a suburban street in Kalgoorlie.

“I did not sleep for three days straight, hoping my son would wake, but he didn’t wake.

“I appeal to the public to provide any information that may assist in determining what happened to my son.”

O’Loughlan revealed her son had been in and out of the justice system, including stints at Banksia Hill, and had been out of adult prison for 26 days before Friday.

Advocate Gerry Georgatos said the family was meeting with WA Police’s top brass on Wednesday.

“In terms of the context of passing these questions need to be answered, and they’ll be answered through the proper processes, but they need to be answered as fast as possible in every way permissible with the family,” he said.

In a press conference on Wednesday morning, WA Premier Roger Cook said he had not been briefed on the situation, but he understood a “very violent set of circumstances” followed the home invasion.

“I urge everyone, please do not jump to conclusions. Do not raise anxiety in the community,” he said.

“This is a police matter, let the police get on and do their job.

“They’ll get the facts, and they’ll present them to the community.”

Georgatos said Smith was not supported by the state’s detention system, which he had come into contact with as young as 12.

“If we’re not going to support these kids, and we’re not going to support those unborn that will come, they will be in a worse predicament than their ones today and of their parents before,” he said.

Kalgoorlie detectives and major crime squad detectives were investigating the incident at the Kenneally Place home and a file was being prepared for the coroner.

The male occupant was still assisting police with their inquiries.

Police want anyone with information, or who observed anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Kenneally Place, Millen Street, McLaren Street, Watts Close, or Johnston Street in Boulder on Friday morning was asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperswa.com.au.