Mother and four children aged 8-13 among victims of WA shooting

Katrina Miles and her four children aged eight to 13 are among the victims of a shocking tragedy near Margaret River.

Katrina Miles and her four children aged eight to 13 are among the victims of a shocking tragedy on a rural property near the wine and surfing town of Margaret River, south of Perth.

The bodies of four children and three adults were found this morning at the Osmington Road property, about 20km outside Margaret River.

Police are treating it as a murder-suicide.

Katrina Miles and her four children. Picture: Facebook

Ms Miles home-schooled her three boys and her daughter at the farm.

She is described by friends as a devoted mother who “worked tirelessly to provide them with everything they needed”.

“I always admired her for her strength. The kids were kind, gentle, smart and beautiful children,” said one friend.

The property is home to Katrina’s parents Cynda and Peter Miles, but their involvement in the tragedy has not been confirmed.

Cynda Miles is well known in Margaret River for her involvement in a number of local community projects. Peter Miles is a farm maintenance worker.

Police near the property at Osmington, in WA. Picture: ABC News

Officers were tipped off by a phone call and arrived at the Osmington property at around 5.15 this morning to find the tragedy.

The bodies of four children and one adult were found inside the building. The bodies of two adults were found outside. Two firearms were found at the property.

WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the bodies appeared to have gunshot wounds and described the incident as a “significant tragedy.”

“Police are currently responding to what I can only describe as a horrific incident,” Commissioner Dawson said.

“The loss of anything life is tragic but four children and three adults this is a significant tragedy.” he said.

.@WA_Police Commissioner Chris Dawson: Two firearms have been located at the scene.

MORE: https://t.co/ykweMeNddk pic.twitter.com/1AReTrEYvU

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) May 11, 2018

The shooting happened at a rural property near Margaret River.

Four children and three adults were found dead at the property.

Police are attempting to locate other family members before they identify the deceased but they believe they are the property’s residents.

A police chaplain is in attendance to provide support to the officers and community.

“Regrettably, these tragedies do take their toll,” Commissioner Dawson said.

He said the small Osmington community would be reeling but was confident it would rally together.

“This devastating tragedy will no doubt have a lasting impact on the families concerned, the whole community, and in particular, the local communities in our South West.

“Naturally, we will be asking for anyone who does know anything about this matter to contact police.” Osmington only consists of a handful of roads, farms, vineyards, holiday chalets and a small Anglican church.

Police have described the incident as ‘horrific’.

Commissioner Dawson said a large scale and detailed investigation will take place over several days and is appealing to the public for information.

There is believed to be no remaining risk to the community’s safety.

A University of Sydney study found no mass shootings had taken place in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre gun laws were enacted.

The study, released in March, defined mass shootings as incidences of gun homicide where at least five people excluding the shooter died.

Anyone with information regarding the incident, or who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Osmington area this morning, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

Additional reporting: Remy Varga, AAP