The tragedy that unfolded at the Wieambilla property, where six people lost their lives, was driven by the delusional mindset of a family entrenched in conspiracy theories. Although the coroner has ruled out terrorism, the intent behind the actions of the Train family—Gareth, Stacey, and Nathaniel—was undeniably lethal.

On December 12, 2022, law enforcement officers approached the Train family’s residence near Brisbane, only to be met with a chilling belief held by the occupants that they were under siege. This paranoia led the family to perceive the police presence as a direct threat, resulting in a violent confrontation.

Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, tragically lost their lives in the subsequent ambush. The high-powered weaponry wielded by the Trains proved overwhelming, highlighting the officers’ vulnerability against such an arsenal.

As the situation escalated, two other officers found themselves in a perilous position, forced to retreat under a barrage of gunfire. The strategic advantage held by the Trains, armed and concealed in sniper positions, underscored the dangerous unpredictability of confronting individuals gripped by extreme beliefs.

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,” 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.”

Ryan said it was not possible to conclude Nathaniel, 46, Gareth, 47, and Stacey, 45, had committed a terrorist act – a finding that left the families of the murdered police officers disappointed.

An inquest last year heard expert evidence the Trains engaged in terrorism that was religiously motivated by their extreme Christian premillennialism faith.

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 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,” Ryan said.

The constables were adequately trained and equipped for the routine job they expected.

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, Ryan found.

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.

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,” Ryan said.

Families disappointed by findings

The grief-stricken families of Arnold and McCrow were reeling at the “disappointing” coronial findings. 

After sitting through five weeks of confronting testimony during the 2024 inquest, the family hoped that Ryan’s findings would usher in change for frontline police.

Instead, the family and friends shook their heads in disbelief as Ryan found the attack was not an act of terror, but that of a psychotic trio suffering a twisted, shared delusion.

“Matt and Rachel’s lives were precious,” said Judy McCrow, mother of Rachel.

“Their deaths – under such horrible, brutal circumstances – were preventable. Because we love and miss them so much, we will continue to forever grieve and live shattered lives.”

Outside court, their carefully prepared statement was rewritten to express their overwhelming grief and disappointment with the findings. 

“We thank the coroner for his work,” McCrow said on behalf of both families. 

“Like us, he was forced to watch the harrowing videos and listen to every disturbing and disgusting detail.

“We hoped it was enough to guide urgently required reforms.

“Any coronial recommendation must prevent a tragedy like this from happening again, and we are initially disappointed with the coronial recommendations, but we need time to read, process and respond to the findings.” 

Key recommendations include the development of drones to improve police safety and a mandatory health assessment for weapons licence applicants.

“We believe that it is vitally important that the recommendations are immediately implemented, not just in Queensland but right across Australia,” McCrow said. 

“Costs should not be a limiting factor … how much will it cost in terms of financial and psychological trauma-related factors if more police lose their lives?”

“Every police officer now and into the future must be protected and must have the skills and ability to keep others safe.”

McCrow said the family would channel their grief and advocate for change.

“There will never come a day, hour, minute, or second that we will stop thinking about Matt and Rachel,” she said.

“We plead with authorities not to forget Matt and Rachel … to ensure they didn’t die in vain.”

It was a plea Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon was quick to honour outside the coroner’s court. 

“Today is obviously a very important day for the families and those lives have been lost,” Scanlon said.

“It was a dark day for the Queensland Police Service … and we will never lose sight of that and the loss of our officers and a member of the community.”

TIMELINE: Descent from conspiracy theory to police ambush murder

1998: Gareth Train charged with unlawful firearm possession in Queensland

2014: Nathaniel Train charged with driving offence in Queensland

2016: Gareth resigns from Queensland education department

2017: Nathaniel starts as principal of Yorkeys Knob State School, Queensland

March: Nathaniel resigns to become principal of Walgett Community College Primary School, NSW

August: Nathaniel suffers heart attack, takes leave from Walgett job

December: Gareth’s wife Stacey Train resigns as head of curriculum at Tara Shire State School, reportedly over COVID-19 vaccines

December 16: Nathaniel last seen by family in Dubbo

December 17: Nathaniel enters Queensland with licensed guns and allegedly dumps two unregistered firearms in a creek; Queensland police issue warrant for Nathaniel’s arrest

March: Nathaniel finishes as principal at Walgett, complains to NSW education department about NAPLAN cheating

August: Queensland police start phoning the Trains and visiting Gareth’s Wieambilla property to speak to Nathaniel; unable to talk to him or find anyone there

October 9: Nathaniel’s last contact with family in NSW

December 4: Nathaniel’s wife reports him missing to NSW police

December 4-12: Queensland police visit Wieambilla looking for Nathaniel

December 8: Gareth posts video online naming Queensland and NSW officers, including stations and phone numbers

4.35pm: Constables Keely Brough, Randall Kirk, Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow travel to Wieambilla to arrest Nathaniel

4.37pm: Trains open fire, killing Constables Arnold and McCrow

4.48pm: Kirk runs for a police vehicle and is shot but manages to escape

5.27pm: Neighbour Alan Dare is shot dead after he hears shots and arrives at the Trains property to investigate a fire

6.37pm: Brough escapes after hiding in long grass while being hunted by the Trains who lit fires to smoke her out

7.30pm: Gareth and Stacey Train post a video admitting the shootings

8.25pm: Specialist police arrive at property and surround Trains

9.12pm: Negotiation attempts begin

10.32pm – 10.39pm: Gareth, Stacey and Nathaniel are shot dead by specialist police