# Teenager Charged in Perth Drive-By Shooting Sparks Underworld Concern

> A 13-year-old boy faces eight charges following a drive-by shooting in Gosnells, Perth, highlighting fears of juvenile recruitment by criminal organizations.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-20T07:53:56.766567Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/teenager-charged-in-perth-drive-by-shooting-sparks-underworld-concern-1368b834

On Monday, October 19, 2026, a 13-year-old boy appeared in Perth Children's Court facing eight charges, including unlawful use of a firearm, in connection with a drive-by shooting in Gosnells, a Perth suburb in Western Australia [4][8][9]. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, October 17, saw as many as 27 shots reportedly fired at a residence [1][5][8][10][16]. This event has fueled public discussion and concern regarding the potential exploitation of young individuals by criminal organizations and the escalating issue of gun violence involving minors across Australia [1][8][9][12][14].

## What the Records Show

The 13-year-old was charged with eight offenses, which include unlawful use of a firearm, endangering life, possession of stolen property, and no authority to drive [4][8][9]. The shooting took place around 12:30 AM or 12:40 AM on Bert Street in Gosnells [4][6][8][11]. Reports indicate a semi-automatic rifle was allegedly used in the incident [4][6][9]. CCTV footage reportedly recorded the sound of 27 shots [5][8][10][16]. The residence sustained damage to a bedroom window, an external wall, external brickwork, and roof guttering [4][9][11].

Reports vary on the number of occupants inside the home during the shooting. Some accounts indicate three people were present [5][10][11][16], while others state seven people, including children, were inside [3][4][6][8][9]. Similarly, reports differ on injuries. Some sources state no injuries were reported [5][10][11][16], while others indicate one man inside sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital [4][6][8][9]. Police have not yet recovered the firearm allegedly used in the shooting [6][9].

## Timeline

The drive-by shooting occurred in Gosnells in the early hours of Saturday, October 17, 2026 [4][6][8]. The boy was arrested in a car park late on Sunday, October 18 [6][8]. He then appeared in Perth Children's Court on Monday, October 19, where he did not apply for bail [4][5][8][9]. He was reportedly already out on bail for alleged charges from Victoria [5][9].

## What Changed and For Whom

The incident has ignited public discussion and concern over juvenile recruitment by criminal organizations [1][8]. Online discussions, referencing reports, speculate whether the 13-year-old was used as a “pawn to fight gang wars on behalf of adults,” drawing attention to broader concerns about organized crime exploiting young individuals [7][16]. This event contributes to existing concerns in Australia about youth involvement in organized crime, with reports indicating syndicates recruit teenagers as “foot soldiers” for activities such as firebombings and money laundering [12][14][15]. The Gosnells shooting has amplified urgent concerns about the exploitation of extremely young teenagers by underworld gangs and the issue of gun violence involving minors in Perth and potentially across Australia [1][8].

## What the Subject Has Said Publicly

Acting Senior Sergeant Heath Atkinson of Western Australia Police described the incident as “shocking and deeply concerning” [8][9]. He highlighted the alleged access to and discharge of a firearm at an occupied home by a 13-year-old [8][9]. Atkinson stated, “the consequences could have been far worse” and emphasized that “when a child gains access to a firearm it creates an unacceptable risk to that child and to the wider community” [8][9].

## What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm the exact number of occupants in the residence at the time of the shooting [3][4][5][6][8][9][10][11][16]. We also could not confirm whether any occupants sustained injuries, as reports vary [4][5][6][8][9][10][11][16].

## Evidence cited
1. Police believe underworld gang gave gun to 13yo charged over drive-by shooting (www.abc.net.au) — https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-20/underworld-link-to-gosnells-drive-by-shooting-probed/107289494
2. Boy, 13, charged over drive-by shooting at Perth home. (cedarnews.net) — https://cedarnews.net/2026/10/19/boy-13-charged-over-drive-by-shooting-at-perth-home/
3. A 13-year-old boy is behind bars accused of opening fire on a home in Perth's east. Seven people were inside at the time including children. (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJqK92oI7s
4. Teenager charged over alleged Gosnells drive-by shooting (thenightly.com.au) — https://thenightly.com.au/news/wa-news/13-year-old-boy-charged-after-allegedly-driving-by-a-home-and-firing-a-hail-of-bullets-from-a-semi-automatic-rifle-c-16474661
5. 13-year-old boy charged over alleged drive-by shooting in Perth's east | 7NEWS (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13iQY-Z6d7Y
6. Teenage boy charged after alleged drive-by shooting. (aap.com.au) — https://www.aap.com.au/news/teenage-boy-charged-after-alleged-drive-by-shooting/
7. A 13-year-old boy has been charged after a drive-by shooting at a home in Perth's east. : r/perth (reddit.com) — https://www.reddit.com/r/perth/comments/17c5b6w/a_13yearold_boy_has_been_charged_after_a_driveby/
8. 13-Year-Old Boy Charged in Gosnells Drive-By Shooting Raises Concerns About Juvenile Gun Violence in Perth - Funeral Tribute News (funeraltributenews.name.ng) — https://funeraltributenews.name.ng/2026/10/20/13-year-old-boy-charged-in-gosnells-drive-by-shooting-raises-concerns-about-juvenile-gun-violence-in-perth/
9. Teenage boy charged after alleged drive-by shooting (thenewdaily.com.au) — https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/crime/2026/10/20/gosnells-drive-by-shooting-arrest
10. 13-Year-Old Charged in Gosnells Shooting | Perth News on Apple Podcasts (apple.com) — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/13-year-old-charged-in-gosnells-shooting-perth-news/id1707921937?i=1000631899147
11. Detectives hunt gunman after Gosnells home peppered with bullets overnight (thewest.com.au) — https://www.thewest.com.au/news/crime/detectives-hunt-gunman-after-gosnells-home-peppered-with-bullets-overnight-c-12239634
12. Organised crime syndicates are now recruiting teenagers and using them to firebomb competing convenience stores. | 7NEWS (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H74t1wX7KPs
13. Organised crime gangs are infiltrating Perth universities and TAFE to recruit international students as money mules | 7NEWS (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqS5fP-lCgM
14. Australian Federal Police raising alarm over teenagers recruited for after-school jobs in the underworld | 10 News First (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M7Fq31G16k
15. Teenagers have become foot soldiers in Sydney's gang wars, with Pacific Islander communities impacted | 7.30 (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t3YvX1M-9g
16. r/AusNews - Police charge 13-year-old boy over drive-by. abc.net.au (reddit.com) — https://www.reddit.com/r/AusNews/comments/17c603k/police_charge_13yearold_boy_over_driveby/