US Individual Linked to Australian Shooters Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors

An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that took the lives of six individuals – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea deal.

Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will face court on 21 October after striking the bargain with US prosecutors.

The convicted felon, referred to online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a sole charge of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a deal to be sanctioned by the court this month.

Links to Australian Shooters

Authorities established clear connections between Day and the Train couple through digital communications.

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

The Trains were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the regional property.

US prosecutors said Day corresponded via online platforms with the perpetrators around the time of the fatal attack.

Day referred to Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing them he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.

Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an apocalyptic video on the video platform after the shootings, stating authorities “came to kill us and we killed them”.

“If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward … We will meet you at home, Don. With love,” they said.

Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings

Court documents show the defendant accumulated a cache of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a shooting range, gun room and sniper’s nest.

“The firearms and ammunition were kept in the mobile home I shared with S.S., in a room we called the ‘gun room’,” Day said in the agreement submitted in court.

Day said he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to use the guns correctly.

The bargain will result in charges dropped that relate to the alleged making of threats to officials and federal agents.

Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.

Day, who has completed 24 months in custody, faces a highest sentence 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 minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.