Cold-blooded cop killers’ twisted final act after shooting police officers dead

Sickening details of the final act of three people who killed two police officers and a neighbour in cold blood on Monday have been revealed.

The cold-blooded trio who shot dead two police officers as well as killing an innocent bystander who came to their aid committed another sickening act before they were gunned down.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were shot at a property in Wieambilla, about three hours west of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon as they carried out a missing persons call.

As they lay on the ground bleeding, their killers stood over them and shot them again from close range.

Neighbour Alan Dare was also shot and killed in the attack, which sparked a massive manhunt for the offenders - Nathaniel and Gareth Train, and the latter’s wife Stacey.

Two other brave police officers, Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both 28, narrowly survived the attack, with Constable Brough becoming trapped in burning bushland as the assailants tried to smoke her out.

Tactical officers later arrived - only for the three Trains to commit a final, disgusting act.

Constable Rachel McCrow died at a property in Wieambilla on Monday.

Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, was the second Queensland police officers. Picture: Supplied.

An aerial view of the scene at a property in Wieambilla where the shooting took place. Source: Nine

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers told NCA Newswire that a team of 16 special forces officers were shot at as they tried to retrieve the bodies and rescue Constable Brough.

“What I do know, is that after (the ambush), as the 16 went to retrieve Matt and Rachel, that they were fired at continuously,” he said.

“They put their lives on the line to try to retrieve their colleagues in the hope they would be able to render first aid and save their lives but sadly that didn’t happen

“It just brings a tear to the eye … it was a despicable act by this murdering, evil trio of people who were out here to cause harm,” he added.

The exchange of gunfire between the Trains and the special forces officers was caught on police radio.

“We believe POI 2 may be discharging rounds. Shots fired,” a male officer says over the radio.

“It appears POI 2 is attempting to reload. POI 1 potentially taken a round here. POI 1 no movement. No movement from number 2 and appears to be blood on the ground,” he adds.

Keeley Brough had been in the Queensland Police Service for less than three months.

Mr Leavers said Constables Arnold and McCrow were “executed in cold blood”.

He added that all officers involved in the horrible scenes on the Darling Downs on Tuesday night are “heroes’’, including Mr Dare.

“Keely and Randall are heroes, and the police led by one of the local sargeants who led the team in to retrieve Matt and Rachel while under gun fire, they’re heroes,” he said.

“They’ve really stepped up, they haven’t thought about their safety, they just thought about their colleagues.

.”

Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers picture at Chinchilla Police Station Picture: David Clark NCA/Newswire

QLD police were searching for missing person Nathaniel Train when a shooting took place at a Wieambilla property in QLD.

Mr Leavers said he also wanted to pay his respect to Mr Dare, who had perished trying to help Constable Brough.

“What’s even more concerning is the neighbour who went to investigate when he saw the fire,” he said.

“We know the fire was lit to try to bring Keely out and Keely was under the impression that if she stood up that she would be shot or she may be burnt alive.

“The neighbour who went to investigate was shot in the back by this murdering trio. These evil people were clearly on a mission which none of us will ever comprehend.”

The road leading into Wains Road at Wieambilla was guarded by police on Tuesday. Picture: David Clark NCA/Newswire

Neighbour Alan Dare was shot and killed during an ambush on a property in Wieambilla on the Darling Downs yesterday. Pic Supplied.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26 were murdered in cold blood yesterday afternoon. Picture David Clark NCA/Newswire

Mr Leavers said while the events of Monday evening were nothing short of pure evil, he was heartened by the outpouring of support for officers.

“It’s a tough day for police here locally. Dalby and the entire area have been doing it really tough and I don’t really know if they’ve realised what has happened and the effects (of that) long term,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“In Chinchilla they’ve run out of flowers.

“Seeing little kids and elderly people pay tribute shows how much they actually respect police and what they do.

“Often it’s only in tragedies like this that you see the silent majority come out and show respect for police.

Mr Leavers said the slaughter at Wieambilla will leave a “ripple effect” across the community but together both police and the community will hopefully be able to support each other during this difficult time.

“That murdering trio won’t be able to murder again and that is important to us,” he said.

Originally published as Cold-blooded cop killers’ twisted final act after shooting police officers dead