Police are investigating what was believed to be the gang-related shooting of a man near Wooroloo yesterday as fears grow that a bikie war is about to break out across Perth. About 3pm yesterday a motorcyclist was shot in the shoulder while he was riding on Great Eastern Highway near The Lakes roadhouse. He was flown to Royal Perth Hospital and was last night in a serious condition. It is believed members of the Finks bikie gang, which is trying to establish a presence in WA, were involved. A witness said he had driven past the scene not long after the shooting and saw three bikies on the side of the road. One of the men was lying down. He said the scene looked like a car accident. Roads surrounding the scene are expected to remain closed until noon today.Police Assistant Commissioner Wayne Gregson said it was early in the investigation but police were watching the situation carefully.
Members of the police bikie gang response unit were called to the scene and were put on alert late yesterday. Officers were monitoring activity at Perth airports and there was a heavy police presence, including detectives, at RPH late into the night. Officers were stationed on every floor and the Tactical Response Group was also in attendance. It is understood that last week police received intelligence that the Finks were making a move into WA. Tensions were raised between WA bikie gangs after a member of an existing club was believed to have joined the Finks. With chapters established in NSW, Queensland and South Australia, the Finks are believed to have attempted to forge ties with the two WA clubs involved in a murderous bikie war of the late 1990s. It is believed the Hells Angels, who have been in a long-running feud with the Finks in the Eastern States, had also reached out to one of the clubs in a move to expand their power base. The Club Deroes and the Coffin Cheaters are regarded as bitter WA enemies after the bloody 1990s turf war that involved fire bombings, drive-by shootings and vicious bashings. The Finks and the Hells Angels have clashed in the Eastern States, including shootings and stabbings. In the past year the Hells Angels have gained a foothold in north-western suburbs, including Scarborough.