‘Shock’: Friend of shooter Stacey Train speaks

A family friend of the woman who took part in the ambush and killing of two police officers has revealed the major question she’s left with in the wake of the horror.

A friend of one of three shooters who ambushed and killed two police officers and a member of the community has spoken about the moment she found out about the incident.

Wieambilla resident Lynette Horton said it was a shock to learn about Stacey Train‘s involvement in the ambush of four police officers investigating a missing person’s report into her brother-in-law Nathaniel Train.

“It really hit home, it was a shock to the system,” Ms Horton told 10 News.

“How can somebody that we had known as a teacher, as a friend of the family- what made her tick? What made that switch flip? What happened?” Ms Horton said about the incident.

“How did her partner and the brother get to that stage?

“What were they thinking? How did this come about?”

Ms Horton said that it was a "shock" to hear about the involvement of someone she knew.

Two officers, Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were killed by a shower of bullets from a trio of shooters while two others, Constable Randall Kirk and Constable Keely Brough, managed to escape.

Neighbour Alan Dare was also killed after venturing onto the property after hearing the incident take place.

The officers “didn‘t stand a chance” against the “remorseless, ruthless killers” according to Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll, with Stacey Train and brothers Nathaniel Train and Gavin Train waiting in camouflage gear with weapons.

Constable Rachel McCrow was murdered in cold blood on Monday afternoon, shot at close range by camouflage-clad gunmen, during a visit to a property at Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla. Picture: Supplied

Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, was also killed during the routine stop during an investigation into a missing person’s report of Nataniel Train. Picture: Supplied

Ms Carroll told reporters the attack was intended to kill as many people as possible.

“As I said, I went to the scene, it was confronting as you could appreciate … in my opinion, those officers did not stand a chance,” she said.

“The fact that two got out alive is a miracle.

Ms Horton has been left with many questions after learning about the involvement of Ms Train, with her and the other two killers all previously working for the Department of Education.

The township of Tara have come together to pay respects to local police officers killed overnight. Picture: NCA Newswire/ David Clark

The local community has been thrown into mourning after the attack. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Clark

Two police officers survived the attack and have been identified as Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both 28.

One of the surviving officers, Constable Brough, who had only joined the police force nine weeks ago, fled the scene and escaped into nearby bushland.

The group then set fire to the bushes to try to smoke her out.

Mr Dare then came to investigate after the incident took place and was also shot and killed at around 5pm.

It’s understood further shots were fired into his and the officers’ bodies, and the dead and injured officers’ glocks were taken.