NSW man Nathaniel Train shot dead by Qld police, two officers killed in bloody massacre

A missing NSW man and his conspiracy theory-fuelled brother are among three people shot dead by police, ending six-hour stand-off after two officers were ambushed and killed on a Queensland property.

A missing NSW man and his conspiracy theory-fuelled brother were among three people shot dead by Queensland police after two officers were ambushed in a bloody massacre.

Six people, including the two police officers and an innocent neighbour, were killed in the shootout at a property 300 kilometres west of Brisbane late on Monday night.

NSW school principal Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and Gareth’s wife, Stacey Train were killed by police in the gunfight, more than six hours after the horror began.

EXPLOSION OF VIOLENCE: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

Neighbour Alan Dare was also shot down and killed by the armed offenders.

The slain police officers have been identified as Constable Rachel McCrow, 26 and Constable Matthew Arnold, 29.

Missing NSW man Nathaniel Train was killed by police in the gunfight.

Police search the area around Joseph's Road and the Tara-Chinchilla Road in Queensland after two cops were killed. Picture: Nev Madsen

Constable McCrow, and Constable Arnold, were murdered in cold blood about 4.40pm Monday.

After the officers were shot, it’s understood the gunmen — who were wearing camouflage — fired further shots into their bodies, and took their guns.

Two other police were also attacked, but Constable Keely Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both aged 28, managed to escape.

Constable Kirk was shot in the leg, while Constable Brough fled into bushland, pursued by the gunmen.

The Wieambilla property where two police officers were gunned down.

THE GUNMEN

Police were at the property responding to a request from their NSW counterparts in the search for Nathaniel. The 46-year-old was last seen in Dubbo on December 16, 2021 but was still in contact with family members until October 9, this year.

Queensland cop killer Gareth Train made social media posts about past confrontations with police and conspiracy theories about Donald Trump, while his brother, NSW former school principal Nathaniel, contacted Mark Latham to discussed NAPLAN cheating

Nathaniel Train was a former school principal at Walgett Community College Primary School and Yorkeys Knob State School in Queensland’s far north.

Mr Train had contacted NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham “unhappy at the situation” at the school.

Described in a 2017 news report as ‘mild-mannered’, Nathaniel Train was photographed with Christmas decorations in his beard.

“I don’t spend a whole lot of time looking at my beard but I’ve had it the last three years. It probably hasn’t been as long as this though. They went to a lot of trouble,” he said in 2017.

It’s understood the request to Queensland police was made by Walgett police where the missing report was lodged.

Four police officers attended the property when they shot at. Picture: Harry Clarke/Country Caller

Sources have told the Telegraph there were warnings that one of Nathaniel’s relatives had a strong dislike for police.

Stacey Train worked at a local school: Tara Shire State College listed her in a handbook from 2019 as Head of Curriculum. It is not known what she has been doing since then, but she lived with her husband Gareth, Nathaniel’s brother, at the property about 45 minutes drive from the school.

MET WITH A HAIL OF GUNFIRE

The Queensland police union described the shooting as “a ruthless, calculated and targeted execution of our colleagues”.

The horror unfolded at the property in the western Darling Downs, about three hours west of Brisbane.

The four police officers came under fire from inside the house as they walked up the property’s driveway to carry out their missing person inquiry, about 4.40pm on Monday.

Horrifyingly, Constable McCrow, and Constable Arnold were seen to be ­approached by at least two shooters clad in military-style camouflage ­fatigues, and shot ­execution-style where they lay.

Constable Kirk had been shot in the leg, and managed to escape and was taken to the local hospital. Constable Brough fled into surrounding bushland, tracked by the gunmen.

Alan Dare was killed after the officers were shot at close range when he came to inspect the scene.

The area where the shootings took place.

Special operations police were flown in. Locals reported sporadic gunfire throughout the night, culminating in an intense gunfight ensued, with police shooting and killing two men and a woman at about 11pm.

QLD Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll confirmed the three fatalities — the two police officers and Mr Dare — in the hours before the three Trains were also killed.

Ms Carroll said officials were looking into what information was provided to the officers who went to check on the missing person.

“Certainly all police do risk assessments and those risk assessments were quite thorough and we will look at that in our investigation but certainly those risk assessments are done before we attend any jobs,” she said.

“There will be a thorough investigation.

“I will now go to where the incident centre is set up to get a full brief from investigators

but certainly I expect the processing of the scene will take days, if not weeks.”

OFFICER FLED INTO BUSH

Constable Brough reportedly fled into the surrounding scrub during the terrifying ordeal in the remote town of Wieambilla – which has a population of around 100 people.

The gunmen allegedly then started a bushfire in a bid to find her, but she was rescued by the 16-strong extraction team of police who also ­recovered the bodies of the two murdered officers, according to a police source.

Authorities said a siege situation ensued at the property – it took 16 officers to retrieve the bodies of their colleagues – and specialist police officers and PolAir responded. Gunfire could be heard in the area late on Monday night.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb wrote to all police officers in this state, saying “our hearts are with the families and friends of Cst Matthew Arnold and Cst Rachel McCrow, both of Tara Station, and their two surviving colleagues, one of whom was wounded.

“The tragedy that occurred overnight in Queensland is devastating and is felt by the police family across the nation, and by all of us here in NSW,” she wrote.

Missing Nathaniel Train was a former

school principal at Yorkeys Knob State School Picture: Brendan Radke

“On behalf of us all, I send our solemn and sincere condolences to our colleagues at Queensland Police Service for the tragic loss of two of their officers, who died in the line of duty.

“An innocent bystander was also shot dead during the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew them at this incredibly difficult time.

“And to you, members of one of the finest Police Forces in the world, I offer my heartfelt support. This is a heartbreaking time for all police.

“The event highlights the inherent danger involved in police work and is a stark reminder of the risks you face as members of the NSW Police Force. We must be vigilant to ensure our personal safety and that of each other.”.

PM’S CONDOLENCES

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to “all who are grieving tonight” in a post on Twitter.

“Terrible scenes in Wieambilla and a heartbreaking day for the families and friends of the Queensland Police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” he wrote.

“My condolences to all who are grieving — Australia mourns with you.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Police Minister Paul Toole laid flowers at the police memorial in Sydney’s Domain to mark the two Queensland officers lost the horror attack.

Terrible scenes in Wieambilla and a heartbreaking day for the families and friends of the Queensland Police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. My condolences to all who are grieving tonight – Australia mourns with you.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 12, 2022

“It’s a very sad day, our hearts go out to the families of the police officers who lost their lives. We remember them today and thank them for the sacrifice they made,” he said.

“It is also an opportunity for people across our state and across the country to acknowledge the sacrifice our men and women in blue make for us every single day in keeping us safe.

They protect our communities and they risk their lives everyday and these two brave police officers have done just that.”

WIFE’S GRIEF

Mr Dare and his wife Kerry had owned the block on Wains Rd since October 2003.

Just a day before her husband’s death, Mrs Dare had posted on Facebook about their love.

In it she told how they met in 1981, began dating in 1994, were engaged a year later and married just 12 months after that in 1996.

Mrs Dare then wrote the words that are now heartbreaking: “Still together. Always”.