Father of Wieambilla gunmen Nathaniel and Gareth Train speaks out

The father of two men who killed a pair of young police officers and an innocent bystander in a “ruthless” ambush has spoken for the first time since the horror shootings. WATCH THE VIDEO

The father of the two men who ambushed and killed two police officers and an innocent bystander has spoken out for the first time since the murders that shocked the country.

Author Ronald Train rushed into his South Toowoomba home past a waiting journalist, saying he refused to go into detail about the horrific tragedy.

“I am not going to share anything with you, you can speculate and make up as much as you want,” he said

“I have lost two children.

“I have already had conversations with police.”

Ronald Train is a retired pastor with 27 years’ experience in Christian ministry.

He has published four books on Christian theology.

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

Gareth Train and his brother Nathaniel, a former Queensland school principal who was the subject of a missing persons notice by New South Wales police, and Gareth’s wife Stacey Train, a former teacher at Tara Shire State College, were all killed in a police firefight late Monday night.

It is understood the ambushed officers were inquiring about Nathaniel after he disappeared from Dubbo, NSW in December 2021.

Police Union president Ian Leavers said the four officers were met with a hail of gunfire as soon as they entered the property.

“Two police immediately went down,” he said.

“The other two police officers were able to retreat and take cover, and what I do know is this ruthless, murderous trio have then gone and executed the police on the ground in cold blood

“It is absolutely disgraceful.”

Nathaniel Train was one of three people killed by specialist police during a siege at a Wieambilla property.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, died at the scene and the Police Union has established a remembrance fund in their honour.

A third officer, Constable Keely Brough was uninjured and was able to take cover in some long grass.

‘The ruthless, murderous trio have then lit the grass on fire to try coax her out, she believed she was either going to be shot our burnt alive,” Mr Leavers said.

Constable Brough was able to escape along with a fourth officer, Constable Randall Kirk who sustained a gunshot injury.

He is continuing to receive treatment in hospital.

Alan Dare was killed at Wieambilla on December 12, 2022.

Alan Dare, a neighbour who came to the aid of the police officers was shot in the back and sadly killed.

Police surrounded the property while a local sergeant and 16 officers entered to retrieve their fallen colleagues.

There are reports the trio fired at police through the night, including at a police helicopter, before being killed.

The murders led to an out pouring of grief as Western Downs residents come to terms with the tragedy in the community.

Police investigations continue.

Originally published as Father of Wieambilla gunmen Nathaniel and Gareth Train speaks out