POLICE Constable Shane James was on Monday charged for the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Detective Corporal Dwayne McPherson, and 20-year-old fisherman Kishan Budburgh.

James, 26, of Perth Village, Mahaicony, was granted a total of $1.6 million bail.

He appeared at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court on two counts of manslaughter following an investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

The constable was not required to plead to the charges, which alleged that on January 1, 2023, at Huntley, Mahaicony, he unlawfully killed McPherson and Budburgh.

He was placed on $800,000 bail on each charge and the matter was adjourned until February 8, 2023.

According to reports, on the day in question, McPherson, who was stationed at the Mahaicony Police Station, was part of a police patrol that was dispatched to Huntley to investigate a report of a stabbing. While the patrol was at the location, the two men were shot.

The police did not reveal a lot of details about the incident but did indicate that two cops who were also part of the patrol on that fatal day were arrested and questioned in relation to the shooting.

A post-mortem report found that the policeman’s body had two gunshot wounds, while Budburgh had three.

According to the police, the men died from shock and haemorrhage due to gunshot injuries. Two entry wounds were seen to the left of the policeman’s neck, with no exit wound.

Three entry wounds were found on Budburgh’s left side: one below his armpit, one further down the left side of his back, and the last one, about 4 to 5 cm from the shoulder blade.