Two police officers and a good samaritan are among six dead after a tense siege at Wieambilla in Queensland.
The fatal shooting of two young police constables killed in an ambush at a remote Queensland property has been described as a “ruthless and cold-blooded execution”.
Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, jumped a fence at the property on Wains Road, Wieambilla, while investigating reports of a missing person. They were confronted by a “hail of gunshots” and fell to the ground while two of their colleagues took cover behind them.
It was followed the murder of neighbour, Alan Dare, who fatefully went to investigate the grass fire the offenders had lit to try and flush the other officers out.
A siege situation ensued, with specialist police and PolAir responding, before coming to a bloody final end hours later with two men and a woman shot and killed by police.
The two other officers who responded to the missing person’s call, Constables Keeley Brough and Randall Kirk, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police union boss Ian Leavers told ABC Radio National the officers were executed.
“The ruthless, murderous trio have … executed the two police, our fallen officers, who were on the ground. They have executed them in cold blood,” he said.
The alleged killers have been identified by senior police sources as Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and wife Stacey. NSW police had been trying to locate Nathaniel Train, missing from his western NSW home, for almost a year.
“I would like to also pay tribute to all police and first responders who assisted at the scene and are continuing to respond this evening,” she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a heartbreaking loss for the families and friends of those who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
“My condolences to all who are grieving tonight – Australia mourns with you,” he tweeted.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the deaths were a “horrible tragedy” as Western Downs regional council mayor Paul McVeigh said his community was shattered.
“It’s an absolute tragedy in our community,” Cr McVeigh said.
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