An Arizona man whose online life became entangled with a deadly international police shooting will spend the next three years behind bars. Donald Day, Jr., 61, of Heber, was sentenced on February 12, 2026, to 36 months in federal prison for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Beyond the prison time, U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi ordered Day to serve three years of supervised release following his term.
The case against Day gained momentum during a high-profile investigation into the December 2022 murders of two police officers and a civilian in Queensland, Australia. Day, who had prior felony convictions that barred him from owning weapons, lived on a rural property where he frequently broadcasted anti-law enforcement sentiments.
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These posts connected him with the “Trains,” an Australian family who eventually carried out the fatal ambush on their own rural property.
In a video recorded shortly after the killings, the family members stated, “[t]hey came to us, and we killed them. If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward.” The group specifically addressed Day in the footage, saying, “We’ll see you when we go home. We’ll see you at home, Don. Love you.” The three family members died later that day during a standoff with Australian authorities.
Upon hearing of their deaths, Day posted online: “[w]ell, like my brother…, like my sister…, it is no different for us. The devils come for us, they [expletive] die.” This followed a previous public post where he described himself as an “x-con, who’s armed to the teeth.” A subsequent search of his Arizona home by federal agents uncovered a shooting range, an elevated shooting position, more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and nine firearms—including a short-barreled rifle.
“Donald Day Jr. chose to use online platforms to advocate for violence against law enforcement and public officials, disregarding the danger his actions created,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Day regularly shared the same rhetoric with a family in Australia, who tragically took the lives of their neighbor and two constables. Our thoughts continue to be with the colleagues and families of those lost in Queensland. I’m proud of the work done by this justice team to hold Day accountable for his crimes.”
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Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke echoed those sentiments, noting the gravity of using the internet to incite violence.
“Donald Day Jr.’s use of social media to encourage attacks on law enforcement officers and government officials around the world was despicable,” Janke said. “This case exemplifies the lengths FBI Phoenix will go to avenge law enforcement partners, including those murdered overseas. Day’s crimes were as harmful as the attacks they incited. Today’s sentence shows that threats posted online will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted, and we’d like to thank the Queensland Police Service and the United States Attorney’s Office for their dedication to ensuring justice was served.”
The impact of the original incident remains a point of deep grief in Australia. Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scalon highlighted the lasting scars left by the December 12, 2022, attack.
“The tragic events of 12 December 2022 will forever be marked as a dark day for the QPS and Queensland communities. The loss of constable Matthew Arnold and constable Rachel McCrow, and neighbour, Alan Dare, continues to weigh heavily on the QPS family and the broader Queensland community, and our thoughts remain with their families, friends, and colleagues,” Scalon said.
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Scalon further emphasized the necessity of global cooperation in modern policing.
“The QPS deeply values the strong partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, whose collaboration has been instrumental in bringing this matter to justice. The sentencing of Donald Day Jr. and legal proceedings highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing serious crimes that transcend borders. We remain committed to working closely with our national and international law enforcement partners to ensure justice for the victims and their families.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI Phoenix and the Queensland Police Service. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pimsner, Abbie Broughton, and Glenn McCormick of the District of Arizona.
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Real-World Rounds: Arizona Man Jailed For Illegal Arsenal After Deadly Australian Ambush
