Queensland police killed during execution-style ambush identified
The identities of two police officers and another man shot dead during an execution-style ambush on a remote property in Queensland’s Darling Downs have been revealed.
29-year-old Constable Rachel McCrow and 26-year-old Constable Matthew Arnold were gunned down on Monday afternoon after being called out to a Wieambilla home, about 300 kilometres west of Brisbane.
A neighbour who went to investigate after hearing gunshots was also killed during the siege. He’s since been named as 58-year-old Alan Dare.
“In my opinion, those officers didn't stand a chance," Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll told media on Tuesday morning. "The fact that two got out alive is a miracle.”
Four officers had gone to the property at around 4.40pm to investigate a missing persons case when they were shot at close range by armed men wearing camouflage. After the two constables were killed, it’s understood the gunman fired further shots into their bodies.
While the other two officers managed to flee the scene, the offenders allegedly started a bushfire in a bid to find the other female officer before a rescue crew was sent in to extract her, The Courier Mail reported.
A male officer who also fled received a gunshot wound and was later taken to Chinchilla Hospital.
The gunmen, two men and a woman, were later killed during a deadly firefight with specialist police. The males have since been named as brothers Nathanial and Gareth Train.
Nathaniel, a former Queensland school principal, had been the subject of a missing persons notice by New South Wales Police. The 46 year old from Dubbo hadn’t been seen since December but had been in touch with family until October this year. It’s believed his brother lived at the Wieambilla property
An ethical standards investigation is underway into the police response.
Officers to be 'honoured and never forgotten'
Describing Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold as highly respected and much loved members of the Queensland police force, an emotional Commissioner Carroll revealed that both had only graduated in recent years and were both stationed at the nearby town of Tara.
“Matthew was sworn in as a police officer in March 2020 while Rachel was sworn in last year in June 2021,” she said. “They were both committed and courageous young people who had a passion for policing and for serving the community. Both under 30 years of age, both had wonderful careers and lives ahead of them.”
“Yesterday, as they did every day, they put their lives on the line to serve their community. In this awful incident, they made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Queensland Police Union has set up a remembrance fund for Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold with “every cent to go to their families.” Their names will also be added to the police remembrance wall in the Botanical Gardens in Brisbane as well as a memorial in Canberra.
“We will ensure that their memories are never forgotten, they will be honoured,” Union President Ian Leavers said. “We will remember the courage and their diligence and their sense of community that they displayed and they put their lives on the line.”
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Describing the offenders as “truly evil people,” Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan also extended his condolences.
“Our hearts break again with the loss of life of these two brave officers,” he said, “their innocence stolen by evil, a little bit of extra innocence slips away from our community. I don't think there's a single Queenslander today who’s heart isn’t broken. It is so sad. It is so devastating.”
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