What is happening in the Mullewa manhunt right now?

WA Police have expanded operations to find 58-year-old Kenneth John Giles after a woman was shot near Mullewa. Tactical officers are assisting and select areas remain restricted. A Mullewa travel warning is in place. Stay alert to police advisories, respect checkpoints, and avoid non-essential movement until authorities confirm conditions are safe.

How could the Mullewa manhunt affect travel plans in WA’s Mid West?

Expect possible detours, checkpoints, and slower travel times on routes into and around Mullewa and Geraldton. Non-essential trips may be discouraged while safety measures remain. Travellers should check official advisories before departure, allow extra time for delays, and prepare alternative routes if roads are temporarily closed.

What are the main business risks for local operators?

Key risks include reduced foot traffic, shortened trading hours, delivery delays, and staffing adjustments. Cash flow can tighten during temporary closures or slower sales. Operators should communicate updates to customers, review insurance provisions for civil authority coverage, and plan rosters and route changes to keep essential services operating safely.

What should investors track over the next 48 hours?

Watch for any expansion or stand-down of police operations, the timing of lifting the Mullewa travel warning, and early signals from insurers on regional risk. Track council safety spending updates and reports from transport and retail operators on service normalisation, delivery backlogs, and any lingering schedule impacts.

Law and Government

Mullewa Manhunt January 9: Travel Warning, Business Disruption Risk

ByHuzaifa Zahoor January 9, 2026

WA’s Mid West faces fresh uncertainty as the Mullewa manhunt intensifies on 9 January. WA Police are searching for 58-year-old Kenneth John Giles after a woman was shot near Mullewa, prompting a Mullewa travel warning and safety shutdowns. Tactical units have joined the WA police search, and parts of town remain restricted. For investors, we flag near-term disruption across the Mullewa to Geraldton corridor, with potential impacts on transport, retail trading hours, agricultural logistics, insurance risk, and local government security spending. Expect rolling updates as police expand operations.