Jacob John Dwyer admits killing James Peter Deering in Wooroloo shooting
A man has pleaded guilty to shooting dead a father-of-two in an incident that triggered an emergency lockdown of a suburb on Perth's eastern fringe.
Jacob John Dwyer, who's now 37, shot James Peter Deering in Wooroloo in November, 2023.
The incident forced the area into lockdown for several hours, as police searched for two men they believed were linked to the shooting.
Residents were asked to stay inside and to keep their doors locked.
At the time, police said they had gone to a home on Needham Road in Wooroloo, where a 32-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to the head.
He was flown to Royal Perth Hospital where he died.
Dwyer was charged with murder but in the WA Supreme Court this morning, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The court heard that the statement of facts related to the case had been agreed to by the prosecution and the defence, but they were not read out.
Dwyer will appear in court for a sentencing hearing on June 23.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

News.com.au
34 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Caitlyn Bragger, 15, was killed in a crash that injured five other teens travelling in a 4WD when it rolled south of Perth
A 15-year-old girl who was killed in a 4WD that rolled on the weekend has been remembered as an angel who brought sunshine with her everywhere she went. Caitlyn Bragger, 15, was a passenger in a Toyota Landcruiser carrying five other teenagers when it rolled off Scarp Rd in Hoffman, 150km south of Perth, about 8pm on Saturday. Volunteer firefighters freed one of the passengers who was trapped in the wreckage. The 16-year old male driver and a 17-year-old male passenger were seriously injured in the crash and were rushed to Bunbury Hospital. Three other passengers were treated for minor injuries. The group had been camping nearby when the crash occurred with witnesses saying the car had been crushed like a tin can. 'It was scary to see,' one man said. Family friend Mekayla Cowcher paid tribute to the 15-year-old girl 'gone way too soon' and setup a fundraiser to help the family with funeral costs. She said Caitlyn's family were left broken, lost and confused. '(Caitlyn was) known for her kindness, unique sense of humour, and devotion to her family and friends,' she said. 'She bought a ray of sunshine everywhere she went, so outgoing and never left a dull moment in life. ' No one ever expects something like this to happen, you can't prepare yourself. 'We never expected to say goodbye to her beautiful soul so soon. 'Forever 15, forever in our memory and hearts. Our Angel In Heaven.' WA's road toll has reached 87 lives, the highest number of deaths in more than a decade. Premier Roger Cook told media it was an unacceptable figure that could be prevented it people did everything they could to keep themselves and others safe on the road. The premier said they were looking at what was working in other states and overseas and what technology was available to keep roads safer. 'That's why we've got our deep dive into our road safety measures at the moment, reviewing what else we can do as a government,' he said. Shadow Road Safety Minister Julie Freeman said it was a heartbreaking and unacceptable milestone. 'Regional road deaths continue to make up a disproportionate share of the toll,' she said. 'These are our communities. We're on the ground, we're working with regional organisations, and we need to be part of finding solutions. 'We need a coordinated, bipartisan effort to turn this around, because too many lives depend on it.'

ABC News
39 minutes ago
- ABC News
Yamba father who killed son before taking own life had gun licence renewed, inquest hears
A father who killed his teenage son and then himself was reissued a gun licence after a doctor declared he did not pose a risk to the public, an inquest has heard. Warning: This story contains details that readers may find distressing. The inquest before New South Wales Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan heard the 58-year-old Yamba man used the rifle to shoot his 15-year-old son as he lay sleeping in their home in June 2023, before turning the gun on himself. The court heard the man had been on anti-depressants for almost 20 years and that his mental health had been fluctuating in the lead-up to the incident. His mental health declined after the death of his father and a lawn mower accident in which he he injured his hand, the inquest was told. Counsel assisting, Donna Ward, said the man's son had long been aware of his father's mental health issues and threats of self-harm. "What a terrible burden for a not-yet-13-year-old to have," she said. The court heard the man suffered an acute mental crisis in 2020 and that the family separated in 2021. The boy opted to stay living with his father. Throughout those years the man received treatment from two general practitioners, a private psychologist, a psychiatrist and some counselling services. The inquest heard that in 2021 the man's application to renew his gun licence was denied after he answered in the affirmative to a question relating to mental health issues. The police went to his house and confiscated his three firearms. Later that year a doctor providing a medical report to the NSW Firearms Registry listed the man's patient history and stated he had "recovered quickly with appropriate psychological interventions". The court heard the doctor found the man was "not a risk to public safety should he possess firearms". In October 2022 a firearms officer recommended the man be reissued his licence. In December police returned the guns, which the man was planning to use to teach his son how to hunt. The inquest heard the man had stopped taking his medication in mid- to late-2022, although he resumed taking it a few weeks before the incident. That week the boy was constantly checking in with his father, sending texts saying, "Love you, Dad", "How are you going?" "Are you having breakfast?" and "Are you going to nan's?" "It seems [he] was back on suicide watch," Ms Ward said. The inquest continues until Friday and will hear from the NSW Firearms Directory associate director and medical professionals who treated the man. The court heard family members would also have a chance to make statements about the pair, who were "so loved and who so dearly loved each other but still died in such tragic circumstances".

News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Authorities have seized more than 250kg of cocaine being smuggled through Brisbane
Authorities have intercepted a mammoth haul of cocaine worth an estimated $82m as it was smuggled into Brisbane in a shipping container. The Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police found the 253kg supply after receiving a tip about a suspicious container being imported. After X-raying the container, ABF officers found huge black plastic bags filled with a white substance, which was then tested and returned a positive result for cocaine. The bags were tucked away on top of pallets of polyethylene, a legal product used for packaging. ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said the seizure was made because of vigilance and rapid action from the ABF and AFP. 'I want to commend the highly skilled officers in our supply chain and cargo teams who were vital to the interdiction of this dangerous consignment, thereby preventing significant community harm,' Commander Sokoloff said. 'To those criminal syndicates who mistakenly believe they can infiltrate our borders with illicit drugs, let this serve as a powerful warning: the ABF, in close collaboration with the AFP, have eyes and ears everywhere. 'Our sophisticated intelligence networks, advanced screening technology and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the community mean that your attempts will be detected, your drugs will be seized, and you will be held to account.' AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the AFP warned smuggled that Australia was committed to stopping drugs from crossing our borders. 'The people behind these crimes have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community every minute of every day,' Det Supt Telfer said.