The families of two police officers and a neighbour killed in the Wieambilla shootings have expressed disappointment with the findings of the coronial inquest. Coroner Terry Ryan released a 264-page report into the deaths of Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, as well as neighbour Alan Dare, who were killed on December 12, 2022.
The officers were ambushed by Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train while responding to a missing person report. The Trains were later killed after a six-hour siege. The coroner found it was 'not possible' to conclude the Trains committed a terrorist act, but they had a 'shared delusional disorder' and were 'intent' on killing.
Ryan made 10 recommendations, including mandatory mental health checks for firearm purchasers, more training for Triple Zero operators, and a review of police drone capabilities. However, families said the recommendations did not go far enough. Rachel McCrow's mother, Judy, said the findings triggered 'emotional pain and stress' and expressed disappointment, stressing the need for recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
Alan Dare's widow, Kerry, called the findings a 'big let-down,' feeling the coroner did not do Alan justice. The coroner could not definitively rule who shot Dare, and Kerry said she was not warned about active shooters when she called Triple Zero.
Griffith University Associate Professor Jacqueline Drew said agencies must act on the findings, especially for police welfare. Acting Queensland Police Union president Andy Williams welcomed some recommendations but urged immediate implementation of drone capabilities in rural areas and fixing communications black spots.
