Chinchilla community to hold vigil for Wieambilla shooting victim Alan Dare

The family of Wieambilla shooting victim Alan Dare says it is still waiting for answers surrounding his death and hope he is remembered in the same way as the police officers who lost their lives in the horror attack.

Wieambilla shooting victim Alan Dare has been remembered as a selfless man who “never asked for anything in return”.

Mr Dare was killed by the murderous trio of Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacy Train when he went to investigate the attack that took the lives of constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold.

A GoFundMe page set up in the 58-year-old’s honour has raised more than $59,000 to assist his family and cover funeral costs.

Mr Dare’s 29-year-old stepson said his father did not receive the same hero treatment as the slain police officers.

Speaking to 7 News Wednesday night, Corey Richards described the close connection he and his stepfather had, bonding over their shared love of motor vehicles.

He describing Mr Dare as selfless and “never asked for anything in return”.

“He was my father, he raised me … without him, I wouldn’t be me” Mr Richards said.

“He was a man I called every second day.

“I run into a problem and I’d ring him up … I can’t do that no more.”

Alan Dare was shot dead after he came to investigate the attack. Picture: Supplied

Mr Richards said that while the honours for the officers shot dead were deserved, Mr Dare was not treated the same.

“They were heroes as well. But it’s just the fact that he didn’t get the same treatment,” he said.

He said he had researched the Train family since the shooting, and thought they had been “lost in the internet”.

“I just can’t understand some people,” he said.

“How do you just turn and kill innocent people like that?”

Mr Richards and the rest of Mr Dare’s family are still waiting for answers surrounding his death.

“That’s the one thing you need when someone passes. How’d it happen? Was it quick, was it slow?”

Alan Dare and wife Kerry. Picture: Supplied

The Chinchilla community will host a vigil in memory of Mr Dare on Friday evening.

Country Hope Church pastor Lee Dallman told Sunrise that he is working with Mayor Paul McVeigh to hold the memorial for the grieving community to hold a minute’s silence and offer prayer.

“We’re going to have a big barbecue together and then we’re going to take some time to talk about the events and have a candlelight vigil,” said Pastor Dallman

“We’re just doing the best we can.”

“We have the advantage that our community is like a family, and so we come together really well, we’re just going through the grieving process together.”

“Alan was a fantastic man, I’ve heard it said numerous times over the last few days that he would give you the shirt off his back, literally,” He continued.

Pastor Dallman continued that Mr Darejust wanted to help everyone and described the tragic circumstances as just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Tara Christmas Community Celebration will also be held this Friday, December 16 at the Jack Chappell Oval.

The Taras Futures Group, a non profit organisation, along with the Tara Ambulance Committee extended their deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Rachel McGrow and Constable Matthew Arnold as well as Alan Dare’s loved ones.

“We hope the community can rally together in a time of despair and support each other through this tough time in the lead up to Christmas,” Taras Futures Group wrote on social media.