Wieambilla police ‘woefully’ outgunned in sniper ambush
Rex Martinich |
They were psychotic conspiracy theorists “intent on killing”.
But the family behind the Wieambilla shootings that left six people dead were not terrorists, a coroner says.
When police arrived at Gareth, Stacey and Nathaniel Train’s property west of Brisbane on December 12 2022, the delusional family believed “war had reached their gates”.
The four officers were “no match” for the Trains’ high-powered rifles in the ensuing ambush as Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were gunned down.
Two other officers were forced to retreat after the Trains opened fire from hidden sniper positions within minutes of police lawfully entering the property.
“Tragically, once the shooting commenced, the officers’ Glock (service pistols) were woefully inadequate for the purpose of defending themselves or each other,” coroner Terry Ryan said in Brisbane.
The Trains later also shot down their neighbour, good Samaritan Alan Dare, when he arrived to investigate.
They were conspiracy theorists driven by their “persecutory” delusions.
“They were psychotically unwell,” Mr Ryan said on Friday, handing down his findings almost three years after the ambush that shocked a nation.
“They were … intent on killing the officers and if necessary intent on dying rather than being taken into custody.
“They believed war had reached their gates and they had to defend themselves against the evil attackers in accordance with God’s will and, in that way, reach their own salvation.”
Mr Ryan said it was not possible to conclude Nathaniel, 46, Gareth, 47, and Stacey, 45, had committed a terrorist act.
An inquest last year heard expert evidence the Trains engaged in terrorism that was religiously motivated by their extreme Christian premillennialism faith.
Mr Ryan said he accepted the psychiatric expert evidence on the Trains’ motives, saying the trio suffered from a shared delusional disorder.
“They believed police officers were demons intent on killing them,” he said.
The Trains were killed hours later in a shootout with specialist police, with Mr Ryan saying authorities had acted appropriately in using lethal force.
The officers’ families had asked if the constables could have been protected if they wore new hard-plated body armour.
“I’m not satisfied that additional ballistic protection could have prevented their deaths given the wholly unexpected nature and unprecedented nature of what was in wait,” Mr Ryan said.
The constables were adequately trained and equipped for the routine job they expected.
Constables Arnold and McCrow had attended the property with fellow Constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough on behalf of NSW police.
Nathaniel Train had been reported missing from his state primary school principal job in northern NSW.
A NSW detective had copies of emails in which Gareth Train told his brother police wanted to “see you dead” and vowed to “greet them as they deserve” if they turned up at his property.
Queensland officers would have the opportunity for a more complete risk assessment if they had these emails but it might not have made a difference, Mr Ryan found.
Constables Kirk and Brough narrowly escaped, with the latter hunted by the Trains who lit fires to smoke her out before “incredibly brave” officers volunteered to rescue her.
Mr Dare had called triple zero but was not informed there was an active armed shooter incident before he was shot.
“I do not accept that a failure of Queensland Police to provide relevant information about the risks caused the death,” Mr Ryan said.
Matthew Arnold’s mother Sue and Rachel McCrow’s mother Judy attended the coroner’s findings but left disappointed.
Ms McCrow said the families from the outset wanted a coroners report that would prevent a similar tragedy occurring again.
“We are initially disappointed with the coronial recommendations, but we need time to read, process and respond to the findings and ensure that as families, our concerns and issues have been listened to and respected,” she said.
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said time was needed to digest Mr Ryan’s report.
“It was a dark day for the Qld Police Service, back in December 2022, and we will never lose sight of that,” she said.
AAP
