A man has been charged after he allegedly fired a rifle and threatened several people inside a pub in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt.

Authorities were called to Mogumber, about 120 kilometres north-east of Perth, after reports of the gun being fired inside a tavern on Friday night. 

Police allege a 41-year-old man armed with a rifle entered the Mogumber Hub on Bindoon-Moora Road about 8:30pm and threatened three staff members before firing a shot into the ground.

When a fourth staff member tried to intervene, he was allegedly threatened and assaulted by the man, who then left the scene.

The incident triggered a significant police operation, with resources from the police air wing and Tactical Response Group (TRG) attending the area. 

Police said the man was arrested just before 11pm by TRG officers in nearby New Norcia.

He was charged with 17 offences, including three counts each of threatening to kill and deprivation of liberty.

‘Incredibly stressful, distressing’

WA Premier Roger Cook described the incident as “distressing”.

“It must’ve been incredibly stressful and distressing for the people involved, the members of the staff at that pub, but also just the other patrons,” he said.

“This is an extraordinary event and I’m so pleased that the police were able to respond as quickly as they did.”

The man was due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday. 

Census data shows Mogumber has a population of about 60 people.