WA Police confirm Brent Wyndham, officer who fatally shot Yamatji woman JC in Geraldton, resigned from force

The police officer who shot dead Yamatji woman JC on a Geraldton street five-and-a-half years ago has resigned from WA Police. Brent Wyndham was one of eight officers who rushed to the scene in Petchell Street in Karloo on September 17, 2019, after the 29-year-old was spotted holding a 30cm knife and pair of scissors. Police were at the scene for 44 seconds and then Sen. Const. Wyndham for 16 seconds before he pulled the trigger after repeated demands were made for JC (as she is known for cultural reasons) to drop the weapons. Mr Wyndham was charged with murder — the first police officer in WA in a century to face such a charge — but was acquitted after a Supreme Court trial in 2021. In a brief statement issued on Friday, a WA Police spokesperson confirmed that Mr Wyndham had left the force. “The officer is no longer a member of WAPF. He tendered his resignation effective December 2024,” they said. “WAPF have no further comments to make in respect to this matter.” Mr Wyndham’s actions over JC’s shooting, and that of the seven other officers at the scene, were scrutinised at a coronial inquest held over two weeks in Geraldton and Perth in 2024. State Coroner Ros Fogliani was urged to make a finding that JC’s death could have been avoided and that Mr Wyndham not only breached police policy when he jumped out of his car and ran towards her but also “mistakenly” believed she lunged towards him when fired his weapon. The coroner’s findings have yet to be released. During the inquest, Mr Wyndham testified he feared for his safety and did not consider the possibility that JC, a mother of one who had mental issues, may have been retreating. “I felt scared because she was not listening to what I was saying and I’ve got a gun pointed at her,” he said. “I thought I was going to get stabbed.” Mr Wyndham also told the inquest that he had been stood down after being charged with murder but returned to work and was promoted to senior constable after he was acquitted. He continued to work in Geraldton, at least until the inquest. Mr Wyndham’s identity was suppressed by the courts until just before the start of the coronial inquest. JC’s foster mother Anne Jones said she was “shocked” to learn of Mr Wyndham’s resignation, finding out only when media informed her of the development this week. “I should have been informed earlier (by police), not even the police force let me know,” she said. Ms Jones said having Mr Wyndham continue as a police officer in Geraldton, coming into contact with her family and community, had worsened their ordeal. “He’s been into my granddaughter’s house in Geraldton, this was the first time that I known that he was still in Geraldton ... when he arrested my grandson,” she said. “I hope he’s not (still living in Geraldton).”