A fundraiser has been set up for the widow of a man who was fatally shot outside a Wooroloo property and who has “endured tragedies this year that many will never experience in their lifetime”.
James Deering, 32, was allegedly shot in the head outside a house in the Perth Hills early on Saturday morning.
He was found critically injured on the side of the road before he was flown to Royal Perth Hospital. He died in hospital on Sunday.
Jacob John Dwyer, 35, has been charged with Mr Deering’s murder.
“Our beautiful and selfless friend Hayley has endured tragedies this year that many will never experience in their lifetime,” the organiser wrote.
“On Sunday, 5 November 2023, she had to say goodbye to her long-term partner and the father of her children, James Deering, whose life was tragically and suddenly taken during an act of unnecessary violence.
“This comes just months after the loss of a close friend.”
It is understood the close friend was Georgia Lyall, who was killed by her ex-partner Luke Noormets before he turned the gun on himself earlier this year.
Heartbreakingly, My Lyall left behind a five-year-old son.
“Hayley is the mother of two wonderful boys who now have to face the reality of growing up without their father,” the GoFundMe page states.
“Although she is incredibly strong, we know she cannot get through this alone.
“She needs all the support and love she can get to make it through this incredibly tough time.”
7NEWS reported four men arrived at a Needham Road property in a silver Toyota, where a confrontation led to the occupant allegedly firing a gun.
All four men who arrived got back in the car and fled, and only after driving a short distance did they realise one had suffered a serious head wound.
Pulling over, the driver began performing CPR while two other passengers ran.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch conceded on Tuesday that the fatal shooting would have been “very frightening” for local residents and that police had still not tracked down the gun.
He did confirm, however, that another person of interest was on the radar of detectives.
“The weapon still hasn’t been found. I believe we are tracking one outstanding person at the moment,” Mr Blanch said.
“Certainly a person of interest. I don’t believe they are a threat in that context, but certainly, we would love to speak to them.”
Mr Deering’s accused killer, Mr Dwyer, appeared in the Midland Magistrates Court on Monday morning charged with murder.
Mr Dwyer was out of jail on home detention bail at the time and subject to GPS tracking.
In court, he was read his new charge — and also told an application was also made to revoke his bail on outstanding charges.
Those charges include possession of drugs, possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply, and possession of a trafficable amount of drugs with intent to sell.
The West Australian revealed earlier this week that Mr Deering was one of the State’s rising cricket stars in his teens, playing four matches for Western Australia’s under-17 side — which included Marsh, current WA player Sam Whiteman and former West Coast Eagle Brad Sheppard.
His talent also took him overseas, where he became embroiled in a bizarre row while playing in England in 2009.
Mr Deering was sledged over his nationality while playing club cricket in Lancashire when an opposition player called him an “Australian c…”.
The junior star later got some revenge when he claimed 4-48 to lead his team to victory.