Police shoot three dead after two cops, one bystander killed at Queensland property

The two young police officers gunned down in a bloody ambush on an isolated Queensland property yesterday have been identified.

The two young police officers executed in cold blood at a Queensland property on Monday afternoon have been identified.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were gunned down at the property in the western Darling Downs, about three hours west of Brisbane.

A neighbour, now identified as Alan Dare, 58, was also shot and killed in the attack, which sparked a massive manhunt for the offenders.

The horrifying incident ended in a gunfight, with Special Operations police shooting dead three suspects, including brothers Nathaniel and Gareth Train, and a third female.

Police had been at the scene following a request from NSW Police regarding a missing person, who was later revealed to be former school principal Nathaniel Train.

Want to stream your news? Flash lets you stream 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer available for a limited time only >

MP Jason Wood has paid tribute to the slain officers. Picture: Facebook

He had disappeared from Dubbo in the NSW Central West in early December, with police and family holding serious concerns for his welfare.

At a press conference this morning, a visibly emotional Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll described the situation as an “unimaginaeable tragedy”.

“This has been incredibly distressing and tragic for everyone, particularly family, officers involved, colleagues, the organisation and the community,” she said, at times pausing and breaking down.

“As you would appreciate. It is an extremely emotional and challenging time for the Queensland Police Service. Losing one of our own has a profound impact on every single officer and their families. To lose two officers in one incident is absolutely devastating.”

“This event is the largest loss of police life we have suffered in a single incident in many years,” Ms Carroll said.

“I want to pay tribute to the two other officers who attended....they bravely did what they could to save their colleagues in the most horrendous circumstances. Their bravery was beyond belief.

Queensland Police Union Of Employees has shared new pictures of their fallen colleagues. Picture: Facebook

“Thank you also to the specialist police and other first stand-of-responders who were involved in the dangerous confrontation for many hours last night. Matthew and Rachel were highly respected and much loved members of the Queensland Police Service. They were both committed and courageous young people who had a passion for policing and for serving their community. Both under 30 years of age. Both had wonderful careers and lives ahead of them.”

She confirmed that both officers had only recently started their policing careers, with Mr Arnold sworn in as a police officer in March 2020, while Ms McCrow was sworn in last year in June 2021. Both officers started their careers in the Dalby division before transferring to Tara police station.

The two officers who escaped the scene have also been identified as Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both aged 28 and from Chinchilla Station.

They were both injured and are recovering in hospital.

Ms Carroll also said “considerable weaponry” had been involved in the incident, and that it was a “miracle” the two officers had lived.

“So two sets of officers went, two from Chinchilla and two from Tara. As I said. I went to the scene. It’s confronting as you can appreciate,” she said.

“In my opinion, those officers did not stand a chance. The fact that two got out alive is a miracle.”

A statement issued overnight by Queensland Police confirmed a siege situation ensued at the property and specialist police officers and Polair responded.

“Two males and a female were fatally shot during a confrontation with police shortly after 10.30pm,” it reads.

Four police officers came under fire from inside the house as they walked up the property’s driveway to inquire about a missing person, about 4.40pm on Monday.

Neighbour Alan Dare was also killed in the attack.

Horrifyingly, two of the wounded police – Ms McCrow and Mr Arnold – were seen to be ­approached by at least two shooters clad in military-style camouflage ­fatigues, and shot ­execution-style where they lay, according to The Australian.

It’s understood Mr Dare, who came to inspect the scene, was killed after the officers were shot at close range.

A witness reported seeing the suspects then take the slain police officers’ pistols, the newspaper reports.

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

Queensland Police Service have shared heartbreaking new pictures of the slain officers and paid tribute to their service on social media.

“It is with a heavy heart we confirm the deaths of Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow,” the organisation said in a poignant Facebook post.

“Their lives were cut tragically short in the line of duty at Wieambilla yesterday.

“With Honour They Served.”

Constable Matthew Arnold. Picture: Facebook/Queensland Police

Constable Rachel McCrow. Picture: Facebook/Queensland Police

MP and former police officer Jason Wood has also paid tribute to the officers online.

“This is just devastating. As a former police officer myself I know how hard this will be on our men and women in blue. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of all who have been lost,” he wrote.

“Words cannot describe the loss and anguish of losing two young police officers who have dedicated their lives to protecting others may they RIP.”

MP Jason Wood has paid tribute to the slain officers. Picture: Facebook

Ms Carroll confirmed there had been three fatalities – two police officers and one member of the public – in the hours before the suspects were also killed.

“It is with deep sadness that I confirm the deaths of three people, including two officers, during an incident in the Western Downs late this afternoon,” Ms Carroll said.

“Four officers attended a property on Waynes Road in Wieambilla in relation to a reported missing person from New South Wales. Tragically, while in attendance, two officers were shot and declared deceased at the scene.

“A member of the public was also shot and is deceased. Another officer received a bullet graze and is receiving treatment in hospital. A fourth officer managed to escape the property and is also receiving treatment.”

Why cops were at property

It has since emerged that the officers involved in the ambush were responding to a special request from NSW Police regarding a missing Dubbo man, The Daily Telegraph reports.

According to the publication, Queensland Police had been asked to help in the search for Nathaniel Train, whose brother is believed to live at the Wains Rd property, although it is not yet known whether Train was involved or killed in the ambush.

Dubbo police are understood to have lodged the request for assistance with their Queensland colleagues, with insiders telling the Telegraph one of Train’s relatives was known to have an intense distrust of police.

The police were responding to a request from their NSW colleagues regarding a missing Dubbo man.

Last week, NSW Police issued an appeal for public assistance to locate Nathaniel Train, 46, who was last seen in Dubbo on 16 December, 2021, however, he remained in contact with his family until Sunday October 9, 2022.

He was reported missing to officers from Central North Police District on Sunday, December 4 when he could not be contacted by family or friends, with police and relatives holding “serious concerns for Nathaniel’s welfare”.

Fourth officer’s shocking ordeal

The fourth officer, a young ­female constable, 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 a 16-strong extraction team of police who also ­recovered the bodies of the two murdered officers, according to a police source.

Speaking on ABC News Breakfast this morning, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers shared horrifying new details of the young female officer’s nightmare ordeal.

“It all happened very quickly. I’m told as soon as they’d entered the property, they were just inundated with gunfire,” Mr Leavers said, adding the officers “never had a chance” and that it was “not what you expect” when responding to a call about a missing person.

Mr Leavers claimed after the rookie officer ran into the bushes, a fire was lit by the alleged attackers to “try and coax her out”.

“She did not know whether she was going to be shot or she was going to be burnt alive,” he said.

“I know she was sending messages to loved ones saying she was at a point where she thought it was her time.”

He said one couldn’t “comprehend” what must have been going through her mind at the time.

“She was in contact with her other colleagues trying to assure them we could get support to go and assist their fallen colleagues at that point in time,” Mr Leavers said.

“All the police involved yesterday, they were just brave, brave people to put their lives on the line to try and do their job.”

A Google Images screenshot of Wains Road, Wieambilla where emergency services responded to the police shooting.

Fundraiser for fallen officers

A fundraiser has also been set up to support the families of Mr Arnold and Ms McCrow, Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers said during today’s press conference.

“Many members of the community have wanted to know if they can donate to assist their families,” he said.

“We’ve established a fund and every cent will go to the families of Rachel and Matthew.

“One thing as a union we will do is not only look after our own and the entire blue family but we’ll continue to do our job but as well we will ensure that their memories are never forgotten. They will be honoured.”

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandPoliceUnionOfEmployees/posts/578674974267616

How attack unfolded

Queensland Police confirmed “several” police crews attended the property upon learning of the attack, and urged residents in the emergency zone to stay indoors while a manhunt was underway.

“Wains Road is closed, and the declaration zone encompasses the area between Chinchilla Tara Rd, Wieambilla Rd, Bennetts School Rd, and Mary Street,” police said.

“Residents within the declared areas must remain indoors until further notice, and motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area.”

A major police investigation is now underway, police said in a statement following the suspects’ deaths. An emergency declaration remained in place at the site overnight and a crime scene has been established at the property.

“Circumstances surrounding the incident, including the deaths, will be investigated by police and overviewed by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the Coroner,” the police statement continued.

The incident unfolded on Wains Road at Wieambilla.

An emergency situation has been declared for the town of Wieambilla about three hours west of Brisbane.

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 tonight – Australia mourns with you.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the Queensland Police Service “has lost two heroes tonight”.

“This is a tragedy on so many levels and the thoughts of all of us are with the police family tonight,” Mr Ryan said.

Deeply distressing news coming out of western Queensland tonight with those police officers who have been murdered. Police officers face danger every day to keep us from it.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) December 12, 2022

Police have declared an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) in relation to an ongoing incident at Wieambilla.https://t.co/nh7v08kLs0pic.twitter.com/MU4LvjGdth

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) December 12, 2022

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also expressed her “shock and sadness” over the victims’ deaths.

“I extend my deepest respects to their families and to the Queensland Police Service family as a whole,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Our police risk their lives every day to keep us safe. I know Queensland joins with me in expressing our shock and sadness.”

Local Groom MP Garth Hamilton said his “thoughts and prayers are with our region’s policing community”.

“There is a serious police incident ongoing to our west at Chinchilla tonight. Please listen to authorities if you are in the area,” he wrote on Facebook.