Following a siege on Queensland’s Darling Downs on Monday night that started when two police officers and a neighbour were killed, police shot and killed three others.
According to Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers, constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were responding to a complaint for a missing person when they were met by a “shower of gunfire” after scaling a fence.
The pair were shot and fell to the ground, while two of their colleagues took cover behind them.
“The ruthless, murderous trio have then gone and executed the two police, our fallen officers, who were on the ground. They have executed them in cold blood,” Leavers said.
The three individuals who challenged police at the residence on Wains Road in Wieambilla allegedly started a fire next in an effort to draw out a young police officer who was hiding in some tall grass.
“She actually believed that she was either going to be shot or she was going to be burnt alive,” Leavers said.
A siege scenario developed, and PolAir and specialised police were called.
The police force released a statement early on Tuesday morning saying that “two males and a female were fatally shot during a conflict with police just after 10.30pm.”
The three attackers were reportedly killed during a confrontation with police, according to AAP. The males were brothers, and the lady was one of the men’s partners, according to police sources.
Tragic loss of life
The horrifying tragedy, according to police commissioner Katarina Carroll, was heartbreaking for the relatives of the victims and the entire organisation.
At a late-night press briefing, the commissioner fought back tears as she announced the initial deaths of the three persons, including her policemen.
“I would like to also pay tribute to all police and first responders who assisted at the scene and are continuing to respond this evening,” she said.
“Tragically, this is the largest loss of life we have suffered in one single incident in recent times…It is devastating news.”
The Wieambilla region is still under an emergency decree, and the location has been declared a crime scene.
The relatives and friends of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty previously expressed their sadness at the tragic loss, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“My condolences to all who are grieving tonight – Australia mourns with you,” he tweeted.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, a former Queensland police officer, was also moved by the tragedy.
“Deeply distressing news coming out of western Queensland tonight with those police officers who have been murdered,” he wrote.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the deaths were a “horrible tragedy” as Western Downs regional council mayor Paul McVeigh said his community was shattered by what was “an absolute tragedy in our community”.
