Western Australian police are investigating whether an organised crime group recruited a 13-year-old boy from Victoria and supplied him with a semi-automatic firearm allegedly used in a drive-by shooting in Perth's south-eastern suburb of Gosnells.

The shooting occurred at approximately 12:40am on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at a home on Bert Street. Police allege the teenager fired more than 20 shots at the property while seven people, including children, were inside. Bullets struck a bedroom window and an external wall, while one adult man sustained minor injuries from shattered glass. No one was seriously injured.

Investigators believe the people inside the house may not have been the intended targets. Detectives are examining whether the teenager was recruited by an underworld organisation and given electronic instructions about where to collect and return the firearm. The identity of the person or group allegedly responsible for providing the weapon has not been publicly established.

The firearm has not been recovered. Police have described it as a highly restricted weapon, raising concerns about how it allegedly came into the possession of a young teenager.

The 13-year-old was arrested in a car park in Belmont, approximately 18 kilometres from the shooting scene, on Monday, 19 October. He was charged with eight offences, including unlawful use of a firearm, endangering life, possessing stolen property and driving without authority. He appeared briefly in Perth Children's Court, where prosecutors indicated they would oppose bail because he was already on bail for alleged offences in Victoria.

The investigation has raised concerns about the possible involvement of organised criminal networks in recruiting young people to carry out violent acts. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting, including how the firearm was obtained and whether other individuals provided instructions or assistance.

The family had reportedly moved the boy to Western Australia only weeks before the incident. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the full circumstances of the move or established a motive for the shooting.

Residents in the area were startled by the gunfire during the early hours of the morning. CCTV audio reportedly captured more than two dozen shots, while forensic officers examined the property for evidence. The damage to the house included bullet holes in the exterior and broken glass.

Police continue to investigate the alleged underworld connection and the missing firearm. The case also highlights concerns about young people being drawn into serious criminal activity and the potential consequences when illegal firearms enter residential communities.

The teenager's charges remain allegations. Any determination of guilt will be made through the court process, and investigators have not publicly confirmed the identities of any other people who may be involved.