13-Year-Old Boy Remanded After Gosnells Drive-By Shooting

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with eight offenses and remanded for six weeks following an alleged drive-by shooting in Gosnells, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, in mid-October 2026[2][3][7]. The incident reportedly involved firing over 20 shots from a semi-automatic weapon into a home where seven people, including children, were present, resulting in one adult man sustaining minor injuries from shattered glass[5][7].

This event brings renewed attention to youth crime in Western Australia and the legal principle of doli incapax, which requires the prosecution to prove that a child under 14 understood their actions were seriously wrong[7][11][14]. The case also highlights existing concerns regarding the state's juvenile justice system and facilities like Banksia Hill Detention Centre, where the boy is being held[2][15][17].

What the Records Show

Police arrested the teenager on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in a car park in the Belmont area[7][8]. He faces eight charges, including unlawful use of a firearm, endangering life, possession of stolen property, and no authority to drive[1][3][7]. The alleged shooting occurred around 12:30 AM on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at a home on Bert Street[5][7]. One adult man was transported to a hospital after being injured by shattered glass, but no one was directly shot[5][6][7]. Court proceedings revealed the boy was already on bail for alleged offenses in Victoria[1][5][8]. For children under 14 in Western Australia, the principle of doli incapax applies, meaning the prosecution must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the child knew their alleged actions were "seriously wrong"[7][11][13]. This principle assumes children between 10 and 13 years of age are incapable of committing a crime unless proven otherwise[10][14].

Timeline

The alleged drive-by shooting took place early on Saturday, October 17, 2026, on Bert Street in Gosnells[5][7]. The 13-year-old boy was arrested the following day, Sunday, October 18, in a Belmont car park[7][8]. He appeared in Perth Children's Court on Monday, October 19, 2026[5][7]. During this court appearance, his lawyer informed the court that a bail application would not proceed while the boy's mother worked to arrange stable accommodation[2][7]. He was subsequently remanded for six weeks at Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre[2][7].

What Changed and for Whom

The 13-year-old boy is now in custody at Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre[2][7]. His mother, who recently moved to Western Australia, is seeking stable housing to support a future bail application[2][7]. The incident has intensified scrutiny on Western Australia's youth justice system, which some have described as being in "crisis"[2]. Critics have pointed to Banksia Hill as a facility that has faced allegations of abuse and does not address the root causes of youth incarceration[15][16][17].

What the Subject Has Said Publicly

The records do not contain any public statements from the 13-year-old boy regarding the allegations. His lawyer advised the court that a bail application would not proceed at the time while his mother sought stable accommodation to support a future bid for freedom[2][7].

What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm the specific motive behind the alleged shooting or the details of the separate alleged offenses in Victoria for which the teenager was already on bail[1][5]. It also remains unconfirmed who, if anyone, supplied the semi-automatic firearm used in the incident[5][6]. While police believe the shooting was an isolated incident, the basis for this assessment is not detailed in the available records[1]. The exact number of shots fired was reported as "more than 20" but also as "multiple shots" or a "hail of bullets"[3][5][6].