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Wieambilla shootings
Part of Terrorism in Australia
Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow, the officers killed in the shootings
Location251 Wains Road, Wieambilla, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates27°01′51″S 150°29′31″E / 27.030707°S 150.491924°E / -27.030707; 150.491924
Date12 December 2022; 19 months ago (12 December 2022)
4:37 p.m. – 10:39 p.m. (AEST, UTC+10:00)
TargetQueensland police
Attack type
Ambush, mass shooting, shootout, triple-murder, arson
Weapons
Deaths6 (2 police officers, 1 neighbour, 3 perpetrators)
Injured1 (police officer)
VictimsConstable Matthew Arnold
Constable Rachel McCrow
Alan Dare
PerpetratorsNathaniel Train
Gareth Train
Stacey Train
MotiveChristian fundamentalism
CoronerTerry Ryan
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The Wieambilla shootings was a religiously motivated terrorist attack in Australia on 12 December 2022. It involved the killing of police constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare, at a rural property in Wieambilla, a locality in Queensland. Three residents, brothers Gareth and Nathaniel Train, and Gareth's wife, Stacey Train, were subsequently shot and killed by Queensland Police. The shootings were labelled as Australia's first fundamentalist Christian terrorist attack.[3]

Background

[edit]

New South Wales Police asked Queensland Police to conduct a check at the Wieambilla property, owned by Gareth Train and his wife Stacey, as part of an ongoing missing person case. New South Wales police reported that Gareth's brother Nathaniel Train, the former principal of Walgett Community College Primary School and Yorkeys Knob State School,[4] had not made contact since 9 October, and police were sent to conduct a welfare check as well as to follow up a warrant related to a December 2021 weapons dumping and a state border breach.[5][6] Nathaniel's estranged second wife, who had lodged the missing person report on 4 December, had subsequently been inundated with threatening and vicious messages from Gareth.[7]

Gareth Train was an active participant in Australian conspiracy theory forums and websites: he had espoused strong anti-government, anti-police and anti-vaccine views, and supported the sovereign citizen movement.[8] The father of Gareth and Nathaniel, pastor Ronald Train, said in an interview on A Current Affair that "Gareth in particular was obsessed with guns and weapons, Nathaniel to a lesser degree". He also said that Gareth was a difficult child who was "very volatile [and] very controlling".[9]

Gareth was a known online conspiracy theorist who claimed the Port Arthur massacre was a false flag operation which intended to disarm the Australian population[10] and that Princess Diana was killed in a "blood sacrifice".[11] Both Nathaniel and Gareth had a dislike for police.[12][13] Nathaniel was previously married to Stacey.[14] They were both former teachers, having resigned in 2020 and 2021 respectively.[15]

Incident

[edit]

On 12 December 2022, police constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow from nearby Tara, and constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough from Chinchilla drove in separate police vehicles to the property located at Wieambilla, a rural locality 270 kilometres (170 mi) northwest of the state capital, Brisbane. The four constables met at the locked entrance to the property at about 4:35 p.m. and after receiving no response they jumped the fence and approached the residence.[16][17][18] The constables were wearing body-worn cameras.[16]

At 4:37 p.m., without warning, the residents of the property, armed with a .308 Winchester Ruger M77 rifle and a .30-06 Springfield Tikka T3 rifle, shot at the officers in what was described as an ambush and an execution.[16][19][20][1] Constable Arnold was fatally hit by a single gunshot from Nathaniel Train.[16][1] Constable McCrow was shot in the back and legs.[16] The two remaining constables took cover in nearby bushland at separate locations.[18]

A wounded McCrow recorded a final message for her family on her body worn camera before emptying her police-issue Glock pistol at Gareth Train, one of the perpetrators.[1][16] McCrow pleaded for her life before Gareth fatally shot her at close range.[1][16] Both constables Arnold and McCrow had their weapons taken from them by the perpetrators.[1]

Constable Kirk, upon being discovered by the perpetrators, fled to his police vehicle and was able to drive away despite being shot in the hip as he ran.[18][16] The perpetrators then lit a grass fire to try to locate constable Brough, who remained undiscovered.[21][18][22] They also set the Tara police vehicle on fire.[16] Brough hid in the bushes for over two hours, during which she spoke with a police operator over the phone and told her that she thought she was going to die.[16][23]

At about 5:30 p.m., a neighbour, Alan Dare, was fatally shot in the back after going to the property to investigate the fires.[24][20][16] Dare and another neighbour, Victor Lewis, saw smoke and heard gunfire coming from the Trains' property, prompting them to investigate.[25] Prior to this, Dare's wife Kerry had dialed 000 twice at 5:13 and 5:17 p.m., during which the operator advised against investigating the fire but failed to inform her that two police officers had been shot before her husband and Lewis left.[26] Dare was recording a video on his mobile phone when he was killed by one of the perpetrators.[27] Lewis, who was unharmed, fled after Dare was shot and came across three police constables who were responding to the shooting, telling them: "I think my mate's been shot."[16] He later informed Kerry that her husband "was in a bad way".[27]

A six-hour siege followed. Sixteen local general duties officers responded, who decided not to wait for tactical officers from the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) to arrive. They extracted the bodies of constables Arnold and McCrow using Dare's vehicle whilst coming under fire, and at about 6:34 p.m. extracted constable Brough who ran to the front gate.[28][29][30] At about 7:31 p.m., Gareth and Stacey posted a video on YouTube under their middle names, Daniel and Jane, and also posted it on an online conspiracy site. Gareth said "they came to kill us and we killed them", referring to police as "devils and demons".[16][31] At about 7:40 p.m., SERT officers arrived with their armoured vehicle, a BearCat, and three light armoured vehicles, and surrounded the property.[20][32] Police negotiators attempted in vain to negotiate with the perpetrators.[32]

Shortly after 10:30 p.m., SERT officers breached the property with assistance from two police helicopters who provided observations on the locations and movement of the perpetrators.[28][32] By 10:39 p.m., SERT officers had fatally shot all of the perpetrators.[28][16] Gareth was the first killed as he attempted to reload his weapon, followed by Stacey after she fired a single shot at police using her rifle, and then Nathaniel after he fired at the BearCat using constable Arnold's Glock pistol.[16]

Victims

[edit]

Constable Matthew Arnold was aged 26, constable Rachel McCrow was aged 29, and Alan Dare was aged 58. The two constables who survived, Randall Kirk and Keely Brough, were both aged 28 at the time of the shooting;[33] both were taken to hospital, and Kirk underwent surgery to remove shrapnel and treat his injuries.[34] Arnold had been sworn in as a police officer in March 2020 and McCrow in June 2021.[35]

McCrow and Arnold were awarded the National Police Service Medal, National Medal, Queensland Police Service Medal, and Queensland Police Valour Medal during their memorial service held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on 21 December 2022.[36]

The Queensland Police Service announced it would be awarding Dare a posthumous Queensland Police Bravery Medal.[37] His funeral was held on 23 December.[38]

The Queensland Police Eurocopter EC135 P2+ that was utilised during the siege

Reactions

[edit]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the victims, labelling it a "devastating day" for the local community and for Queensland Police.[39] Other federal party leaders, including Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Nationals leader David Littleproud and Greens leader Adam Bandt, paid their respects.[40] Dutton, a former Queensland police officer, became emotional during a condolence motion in parliament.[41]

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that buildings across the state including Brisbane's Story Bridge would light up in blue and white to honour the victims[42] and state flags would be lowered to half-mast.[21]

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet paid his respects at a police memorial[43] and announced on 14 December that the Sydney Opera House would be lit up in blue that night in honour of the police officers.[44]

The Australian Federal Police[45] and the New Zealand Police[46] sent their condolences, as did the Queensland Police Union[47] which subsequently announced plans to purchase the property, to serve as a memorial for the fallen officers and to prevent the site from "falling into the wrong hands".[48]

Aftermath

[edit]

Attempted looting of the Trains' property

[edit]

On 18 December 2022, police charged two men with unlawful trespass and stealing by looting on the Trains' property.[49]

Declared an act of terrorism

[edit]

In February 2023, Queensland Police Deputy Police Commissioner Tracy Linford released details of the police's assessment of the perpetrators’ motivation.[50] Linford said that "We [Queensland Police] don't believe this attack was random or spontaneous" and that "There is absolutely no evidence at this time that there is anyone else in Australia that participated or assisted in this attack."[51] Linford further stated that the Trains were religious extremists who subscribed to "a broad Christian fundamentalist belief system known as premillennialism", and that the assessment had concluded that they "executed a religiously motivated terrorist attack."[52][53][50]

US citizen charged with inciting the Trains' online

[edit]

In December 2023, U.S. citizen Donald Day Jr, reported as being a conspiracy theorist, was arrested in the U.S. state of Arizona in connection with the shootings.[54][55] Between May 2021 and December 2022, Day is alleged to have sent the Trains' "Christian end-of-days" ideological messages.[56][55] On the day of the shooting, Day is alleged to have commented on the video the Trains' posted online shortly after it was posted and before the Trains' were killed by police.[55] In January 2024, prosecutors added further charges, accusing Day of illegal gun possession and threatening FBI agents at the time of his arrest.[57]

National firearms register

[edit]

In December 2023, at a National Cabinet meeting, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers along with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to implement a National Firearms Register, Anthony Albanese cited the Wieambilla tragedy as a reason for developing this policy.[58]

Coronial inquest

[edit]

In July 2024, a coronial inquest into the shootings commenced before State Coroner Terry Ryan. The inquest is expected to run for five weeks.[59]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Messenger, Andrew (29 July 2024). "'They know I'm here, I'm scared': harrowing footage shows minutes before three killed by Wieambilla shooters". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  2. ^ Martinich, Rex (31 July 2024). "Chilling video of Wieambilla shooting victim's final moments shown to court". www.9news.com.au. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  3. ^ Joe Hinchliffe (16 February 2023). "Wieambilla shootings labelled Australia's first Christian terrorist attack". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. ^ Emmett, Patrick (13 December 2022). "Former school principal and his brother identified as alleged gunmen in deadly Queensland siege". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  5. ^ Gillespie, Eden (22 December 2022). "Nathaniel Train had warrant out for his arrest at time of Wieambilla shootings, police reveal". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  6. ^ Morris-Grant, Brianna; Williams, Tom; Riga, Jessica (12 December 2022). "Live: Bravery 'beyond belief' as police commissioner names officers who survived shooting". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  7. ^ Baker, Jordan (14 December 2022). "Missing persons report sparked 'vicious' fury from killer brother". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  8. ^ Wilson, Cam (13 December 2022). "Experts renew warnings about threat of conspiracy and sovereign citizen movements after Queensland shooting". crikey.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  9. ^ Tiffanie Turnbull (15 December 2022). "Wieambilla police killers obsessed with guns, father says". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  10. ^ Smee, Ben (13 December 2022). "Wieambilla shooting: property owner Gareth Train posted regularly on online conspiracy website before police killed". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  11. ^ Camberlin, Thomas; Kyriacou, Kate; Scott, Samantha; Nolan, Michael; Philp, Jordan; Devon, Emily; Morri, Mark (13 December 2022). "Three shot dead by police after two officers, member of public killed in ambush". The Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022.
  12. ^ Wu, David (12 December 2022). "Former principal and his brother at centre of murders of two young cops". skynews. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  13. ^ Turnbull, Tiffanie (13 December 2022). "Wieambilla: Six dead in shooting at remote Australian property". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  14. ^ Schelle, Caroline (14 December 2022). "Father of two brothers behind ambush that killed police officers speaks out". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  15. ^ Foster, Ally (15 December 2022). "Unsettling new details about the murderous Train trio". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Brennan, Aisling (3 August 2024). "Minute-by-minute account of how crazed gunmen ambushed, killed police and neighbour in horrific Wieambilla massacre revealed". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  17. ^ Green, Eli (15 December 2022). "Heartbroken wife of Alan Dare killed in Wieambilla shooting cries for answers about his death". NCA NewsWire. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022 – via The Australian.
  18. ^ a b c d Lavelle, Laura; Black, Jessica; Steward, Rachel (29 July 2024). "Inquest into Wieambilla shooting hears officer's final act before being gunned down". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  19. ^ Read, Chloe; Wuth, Robyn; Cosoleto, Tara (13 December 2022). "Six dead, including two police constables, after shooting and siege at rural property". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  20. ^ a b c Brennan, Aisling (29 July 2024). "Wieambilla massacre inquest hears final moments of cops Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  21. ^ a b Kelly, Cait (13 December 2022). "Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow 'didn't stand a chance' in Wieambilla shooting". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  22. ^ Frost, Natasha (13 December 2022). "6 Dead, Including 2 Officers, After Shootout in Rural Australia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  23. ^ Messenger, Andrew (30 July 2024). "'I felt helpless': triple zero operator recounts horror call as footage of Wieambilla massacre released for first time". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024.
  24. ^ "'Heart of gold': A hero's farewell for neighbour Alan Dare who was killed in Queensland shooting". SBS News. AAP. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  25. ^ Lavelle, Laura (31 July 2024). "Wieambilla neighbour who went to property with Alan Dare says they were not told about shooting, as police release vision of shootout with Trains". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024.
  26. ^ Messenger, Andrew (31 July 2024). "'We could have all been dead': Wieambilla shooting survivor blames police for failing to warn of danger". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024.
  27. ^ a b Martinich, Rex (31 July 2024). "Chilling video of Wieambilla shooting victim's final moments shown to court". 9News. Nine Network. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024.
  28. ^ a b c Richards, Sarah (15 December 2022). "Police helicopter audio reveals how the Queensland shooting siege unfolded". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  29. ^ Kyriacou, Kate; Chamberlin, Thomas (17 December 2022). "Raw courage under fire in rescue bid". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. p. 5. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  30. ^ Brennan, Aisling (30 July 2024). "Wieambilla coronial inquest hears new details about fatal ambush awaiting young police officers". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  31. ^ Gillespie, Eden; McGowan, Michael (16 December 2022). "Queensland shooting: Gareth and Stacey Train published YouTube video after killing police officers". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  32. ^ a b c Kyriacou, Kate; Chamberlin, Thomas (30 July 2024). "Great Strength and Grace". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. p. 10. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  33. ^ Read, Cloe (12 December 2022). "Two young officers, neighbour killed before three offenders shot dead". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  34. ^ Cloe Read (14 December 2022). "'Everyone was crying': police boss speaks to families of shot officers". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  35. ^ "Two police officers shot dead during siege at Queensland property identified as Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold". ABC News (Australia). 13 December 2022. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  36. ^ Warren Barnsley (21 December 2022). "QLD police memorial for slain officers Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold hears heartbreaking tributes". Seven News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  37. ^ Gunders, Peter; Brewster, Alex; Maguire, Kemii (23 December 2022). "Neighbour killed in Queensland shooting Alan Dare to be farewelled at funeral, receive Queensland Police Service Medal". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  38. ^ Gibbs, Marty Silk and Nick (23 December 2022). "Alan Dare gets hero's farewell in Queensland". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  39. ^ "PM pays tribute to police killed in shooting – as it happened | Australia news | the Guardian". Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  40. ^ Bannister, Maeve; Brown, Andrew (12 December 2022). "Australia mourns police deaths: Albanese". AAP. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023 – via PerthNow.
  41. ^ Hitch, Georgia (15 December 2022). "Peter Dutton becomes emotional during condolence motion for Queensland shooting victims". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  42. ^ "Queensland to light up in blue and white for police after 'horrific tragedy'". 13 December 2022. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  43. ^ Fife-Yeomans, Janet; Bharadwaj, Angira (14 December 2022). "Opera House tribute to brave slain Queensland cops who unwittingly walked into a massacre". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  44. ^ The Premier, Deputy Premier (14 December 2022). "Sydney Opera House sails to be lit blue in remembrance of Queensland police officers" (Press release). NSW Government. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  45. ^ Australian Federal Police [@AusFedPolice] (13 December 2022). "We are heartbroken over the tragic passing of two @QldPolice officers who were killed in the line of duty yesterday. Sadly, a member of the public also died" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ New Zealand Police [@nzpolice] (13 December 2022). "Our thoughts are with our @QldPolice colleagues and the families affected by yesterday's tragic event 💙" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ "'Pure execution': Police union devastated by Wieambilla shooting". 9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  48. ^ Richards, Sarah (19 December 2022). "Queensland Police Union plan to buy rural property where officers were killed". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  49. ^ "Stealing by looting charges, Wieambilla". Queensland Police News. Queensland Police Service. 18 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  50. ^ a b "Investigation update: Wieambilla shooting event". QPS Media (Press release). Queensland Police Service. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  51. ^ Agius, Kym (16 February 2023). "Trio who shot dead Queensland police officers executed 'religiously motivated terrorist attack'". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  52. ^ Ciara Jones (16 February 2023). "Queensland police say the Wieambilla shooting is a terrorist attack motivated by premillennialism. Here's what that means". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  53. ^ Anna Houlahan (16 February 2023). "What is premillennialism? Wieambilla shooters religion revealed". Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  54. ^ Cropper, Emma (7 December 2023). "US man Donald Day arrested over inciting violence online in Australian police massacre". Newshub. Discovery NZ Limited. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  55. ^ a b c "New details of Wieambilla police shootings revealed in case of US conspiracy theorist Donald Day Jr". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  56. ^ Iorio, Kelsie; Black, Jessica (6 December 2023). "Man arrested in Arizona over religiously motivated terror attack at Wieambilla sent shooters 'end of days' ideological messages". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023.
  57. ^ Gramenz, Emilie; Hosier, Phoebe (17 January 2024). "'I'm not playing': Court documents reveal alleged terrorist Donald Day's threats against FBI agents". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  58. ^ The Hon Anthony Albanese MP (6 December 2023). "Meeting of National Cabinet – the Federation working for Australia" (Press release). Parliament House: Prime Minister of Australia. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023. Ahead of the anniversary of the police shooting in Wieambilla, National Cabinet agreed to implement a National Firearms Register – delivering on an outstanding reform from the Port Arthur massacre response in 1996. This represents the most significant improvement in Australia's firearms management systems in almost 30 years and will keep Australia's first responders and community safer. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  59. ^ Lavelle, Laura (29 July 2024). "Inquest begins into Wieambilla shootings that killed two Queensland police officers in December 2022". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
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