American Individual Linked to Australian Gunmen Secures Plea Bargain with Prosecutors

A US man linked with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia shooting that claimed six lives – including two Queensland police officers – has accepted a watered-down plea deal.

Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will appear in court on October 21 after striking the bargain with US prosecutors.

The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a single offense of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the court in the current month.

Connections to Australian Shooters

Investigators confirmed clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.

This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.

The Trains were killed in a gun battle with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.

American officials stated Day communicated via online platforms with the Trains around the time of the deadly ambush.

He referred to Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing them he wanted to be at Wieambilla in person.

Legal filings detailed how the couple had posted an end-times video on the video platform after the shootings, stating police “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.

“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … We will meet you at home, Don. With love,” they said.

Weapons Stockpile and Court Case

Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a gun range, weapons room and sniper’s nest.

“The guns and ammo were stored in the trailer I occupied with S.S., within a space we named the 'gun room',” he said in the plea deal filed in the legal system.

He stated he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also trained others on how to operate the firearms correctly.

The bargain will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the accused making of threats to officials and federal agents.

According to legal files, the individual had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.

The defendant, who has served 24 months in custody, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal stipulates he will be sentenced under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.