Two young officers, neighbour killed before three offenders shot dead

Key points

• Six people have been killed on Monday night in a confrontation between four police and three people at a Queensland property.
• Two police were killed in the siege, who have since been identified as Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow, both from Tara Station.
• The four police officers were visiting the property at Wieambilla, about 300km west of Brisbane, in relation to a missing persons report.
• An innocent neighbour was also killed in the crossfire.

Police have shot dead three people after an ambush at a remote property in Queensland’s Western Downs in which two officers and a member of the public were killed, bringing the total number of fatalities to six.

Just after 10.30pm on Monday, more than six hours after the incident began, the two men and one woman were fatally shot by police at the property on Wains Road in Wieambilla, about three hours west of Brisbane.

“Despite police efforts, the matter was unable to be resolved peacefully,” Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said on Tuesday morning.

Earlier in the day, four officers went to the rural property to investigate reports of a missing person, believed to be a former school principal from NSW, and were met with a hail of gunfire. Sources likened the scene to an ambush.

Police returned fire, but two officers were critically injured and died at the scene. A 58-year-old member of the public, who has yet to be named, was also killed.

The officers who died were constables Matthew Arnold, 29, and Rachel McCrow, 26, both of Tara Police Station, described by the commissioner as “committed and courageous young people”.

Police have paid tribute to constables Rachel McCrow, 26, and Matthew Arnold, 29, gunned down after the siege.Credit:Queensland Police

“It is an unimaginable tragedy,” Carroll told reporters in Chinchilla.

Another two officers were wounded when at least two gunmen opened fire at the property at 4.45pm. A female officer, in her first year and only a few weeks out of the police academy, managed to flee the scene and help raise the alarm.

Authorities said a siege situation then ensued at the property and specialist police officers and PolAir responded. Gunfire could be heard in the area late on Monday night.

An emergency declaration remained in place on Tuesday morning for the Wieambilla area and a crime scene had been established at the property.

Carroll said flags would fly at half-mast at police stations across Queensland, after the largest loss of serving officers in recent years.

“My sincerest condolences go out to the family, friend and colleagues of Matthew and Rachel at this incredibly difficult time,” she said.

The missing school principal is believed to be Nathaniel Train, 46, whose brother Gareth and his wife Stacey had a property in the area. Police have yet to comment on whether they were the three others killed.

Circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated by police and overviewed by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the coroner.

“I know the days and weeks ahead will be particularly difficult for families and the police family,” Carroll said.

Police Union president Ian Leavers said the shooting of the two junior police officers was an “execution”, adding it was a miracle the other officers were alive.

“It happened that quickly, I would say they were executed by these remorseless, ruthless killers,” he said.

“They showed no respect or any feelings for anyone at all. They murdered two of our colleagues and tried to murder many other police.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described “terrible scenes in Wieambilla and a heartbreaking day for the families and friends of the Queensland police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty”.

“My condolences to all who are grieving tonight – Australia mourns with you,” Albanese wrote on Twitter.

Police declared an emergency situation about 6.15pm, attempting to contain the offenders in a cordon around large farming properties and gas fields. Roads were blocked and residents were ordered to stay inside.

The sparsely populated area is home to several large properties and gas fields. It lies between the regional centre of Chinchilla, population 7068, and Tara to the south-west.

With AAP

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