true crime

The pub fight that escalated on Facebook and ended in the murder of a Sydney teen.

“Shoot me. Shoot me.” Those were among the final words of Sydney teenager Jed Coates.

The 18-year-old was shot in the neck by Matthew James Perry after arranging to meet for a fight in Colyton in Sydney’s inner west.

It was a tragic end to a conflict that had escalated throughout the evening of June 18, 2014, State of Origin night.

It began with a physical fight at the Colyton Hotel earlier that evening. But later moved online.

“U think imma back DONW u gotta another thing coming,” wrote Jed on Facebook, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Perry replied: “Hahaha. Come on c— come at me as hard as you can!!! You don’t know wtf you are in for.”

According to the paper, Perry thought Coates was part of a group that had attempted to steal his motorcycle.

Jed Coates, via Facebook.

Shortly after the online exchange, Coates prepared himself to face off against Perry at a nearby park. His mother and brother pleaded with him not to go, but Coates ignored them.

Armed with a shovel, he walked out the door with friend Jack Kliese by his side.

Not far away, Perry was waiting. His weapons: Knuckle dusters and a .22-calibre rifle.

Nearby residents reported hearing a loud argument some time after 11pm. Among the yelling, they heard the words "shoot me, shoot me" and "just walk away Jed, just walk away".

Then came the loud bang.

The single bullet entered the right side of Jed's neck and became lodged in his upper back. He was rushed to Westmead hospital but died less than an hour later, writes The Sydney Morning Herald.

Perry, 23, last week pleaded guilty to murder in the NSW Supreme Court and was convicted of the charge.

He is expected to face a sentencing hearing on July 28.