A “gutless” property developer who shot his wife’s friend and daughter dead before killing himself had 13 guns stored inside his $4.5 million mansion.
Mark Bombara, 63, was hunting for his estranged partner when he killed widow Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18, inside their Perth home on Friday afternoon.
It’s understood Bombara’s ex-wife had left him weeks ago and had been seeking refuge at her friend’s home in Floreat.
When Bombara didn’t find his ex at the property, he instead opened fire on the mother and daughter before fatally shooting himself.
The father-of-four was “known to police” but did not have a history of violence and was a licensed gun owner.
Police searched Bombara’s waterfront Mosman Park mansion on Saturday after the double murder-suicide and seized 13 guns, The Nightly reported.
Mum’s fears before horrific double murder-suicide
A family friend of Ms Petelczyc’s told Daily Mail the mother-of-two had become fearful of her safety after learning Bombara was allegedly driving with a gun under his car seat.
The friend said Ms Petelczyc had been visiting his mother and lawyer father before her death to seek advice on how to protect her daughters and Bombara’s ex.
During her last visit two weeks ago, his father yelled out to Ms Petelczyc: “Don’t forget to report it [Bombara driving around with a gun] to police”.
“I will,” Ms Petelczyc reportedly replied before heading home.
The friend told the publication they did not know if Ms Petelczyc had reported the matter to police.
WA Police told Daily Mail they have been unable to locate records indicating Ms Petelczyc made a report.
The friend also claimed Ms Petelczyc had told her daughters the family were in danger, after initially struggling to decide if she should share her concerns, and advised them not to open the door.
He claimed Bombara had become increasingly erratic and had been suffering from mini strokes and diabetes but was not receiving treatment.
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.
A family member had alerted the police to the unfolding horror.
It’s understood Ms Petelczyc 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.
Family’s loss
Gretl was a talented water polo player who graduated St Hilda’s Anglican School in 2022 before going on to study a Bachelor of Sport at the University of Western Australia.
Ms Petelczyc was left a widow when her husband Jon Petelczyc, the director of a local business consultancy firm, reportedly died from cancer in 2019.
She leaves behind her other daughter, Liesl, believed to be in her 20s.
Ms Petelczyc was active in local government meetings and a known figure in the basketball community in Perth’s western suburbs.
Family friend Daele Dobson told Daily Mail Ms Petelczyc was a “kind and generous” woman and a devoted mother who would “do anything for her girls”.
“The family were great ambassadors for the Guide Dog Association and took on ‘Sunny’, a golden Labrador puppy, who they kept in their home,” she said.
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 in the country 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 $64m 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.
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