Queensland cop's horror text message to family revealed
A young Queensland police officer who feared for her life during a deadly siege on Monday texted her family saying she believed "it was her time" – just weeks into the job.
Constable Keeley Brough, 28, was one of four young officers attending a Wieambilla property, about 300 kilometres west of Brisbane, on Monday to investigate a missing persons case.
Two of the officers, Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, and Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, were shot dead on arrival, forcing Constable Brough, and Constable Randall Kirk, who was shot in the leg, to flee. Constable Brough, who had only been sworn in just eight weeks ago, sought refuge in a nearby grassy area.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said she feared she was going to die after the two men and woman who had fired at police allegedly lit a fire to smoke her out.
"She did not know whether she was going to be shot, or she was going to be burnt alive," he told the ABC.
"I do know she was sending messages to loved ones saying she almost thought it was her time. What was going through her mind, one cannot comprehend."
Mr Leavers said she also contacted colleagues to "assure them we could get support to go and assist their fallen colleagues at that point in time".
"She tried to do what she possibly could."
Police commissioner Katarina Carroll said it was "a miracle" Constable Brough and Constable Kirk made it out alive. She labelled their commitment to their duties "extraordinary".
Specialist police and PolAir swiftly arrived at the scene and hours later were involved in a firefight with the alleged killers.
The trio, who were shot dead at the property after 10pm, have been identified by senior police sources as Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and wife Stacey.
Tragic Facebook post days before shooting
A third person was shot dead by the trio, neighbour Alan Dare, who had attended the property concerned over the unfolding incident.
His wife Kerry had taken to Facebook thee days before the shooting to share a post celebrating her relationship with Mr Dare, whom she says she met in 1981, marrying 15 years later.
"Still together, always," the post culminates.
Her Facebook page indicates she has only lived in the area since 2020.
Mr Leavers said Mr Dare was "shot in the back in cold blood".
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