A Queensland coroner has ruled that the 2022 Wieambilla ambush, which killed two police officers and a neighbour, was not an act of religious terrorism but stemmed from the perpetrators’ shared delusional beliefs. The findings, released today, highlight limitations in Australia’s terrorism laws and call for enhanced police safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
On December 12, 2022, Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were ambushed and killed while conducting a routine welfare check at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland. The officers had arrived to follow up on a missing persons report for Nathaniel Train, a former school principal. As they approached the house, they were met with a barrage of gunfire from high-powered rifles and shotguns wielded by Nathaniel, his brother Gareth, and Gareth’s wife Stacey Train. The attack also claimed the life of neighbour Alan Dare, who was fatally shot after he arrived at the scene upon noticing smoke.
State Coroner Terry Ryan concluded that the Trains’ actions did not constitute a terrorist act under Australian law, despite their religious fanaticism and conspiracy theories. He found that the trio acted “defensively within their delusional framework,” believing they were under attack from evil forces and needed to defend their property in accordance with God’s will. Ryan noted that Australia’s legal definition of terrorism, established in 2002, is “unhelpfully narrow” and may not adequately address current security threats like this case.
The coroner’s report detailed how the Train family had developed intense persecutory delusions over several years, fueled by anti-government sentiments and conspiracy theories. Gareth Train, in particular, became increasingly isolated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and engaged with fringe online communities. His rhetoric escalated to threats against police, and by 2022, the family had fortified their property and prepared for a lethal confrontation, viewing it as part of an apocalyptic scenario.
During the ambush, the police officers’ standard-issue handguns were “woefully inadequate” against the Trains’ ambush positions and superior firepower. Arnold and McCrow were executed while lying on the ground, and a third officer, Constable Keely Brough, managed to escape after being hunted and trapped for hours. The coroner acknowledged that no amount of equipment could have fully prepared the officers for such a ruthless attack, but emphasized the need for better risk assessment tools.
In response to the tragedy, Coroner Ryan made 10 recommendations focused on improving police safety and prevention. These include providing more drones for remote and rural police to assess risks before engagements, enhancing communication between state police forces, and considering mandatory mental health assessments for weapons licence holders. He also highlighted missed opportunities, such as New South Wales police failing to pass on warnings that might have alerted Queensland officers to the danger.
The victims’ families expressed mixed reactions to the findings, noting that the recommendations come too late for their loved ones but acknowledging the need for systemic changes. Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Police Minister Dan Purdie pledged to review the recommendations thoroughly, emphasizing the goal of learning from the incident to enhance community safety and honor those who lost their lives.
This case underscores broader implications for handling individuals with extreme beliefs and the challenges in balancing mental health issues with public safety. It may prompt reforms in terrorism legislation and police protocols, ensuring better preparedness for similar threats in the future.
