US Individual Connected to Aussie Shooters Strikes Plea Bargain with Federal Attorneys

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 less severe plea agreement.

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

The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to plead guilty to a single offense of illegally owning guns and bullets in a deal to be sanctioned by the court this month.

Connections to Aussie Gunmen

Investigators established clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.

This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.

The Trains were fatally shot in a final shootout with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the regional property.

American officials stated the accused corresponded via social media with the Trains during the period of the fatal attack.

Day referred to Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing them he wanted to be at the scene physically.

Court documents detailed how the couple had posted an apocalyptic recording on YouTube after the incident, stating authorities “came to kill us and we killed them”.

“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” they expressed.

Firearms Cache and Court Case

Legal records show Day accumulated a cache of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a gun 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 the legal system.

Day stated he frequently used both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to use the guns properly.

The bargain will result in charges dropped that relate to the accused issuing threats to officials and FBI agents.

Based on legal files, Day had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.

The defendant, who has completed two years in custody, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment in prison or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.