More details revealed by father of Queensland cop killers
The father of the two men who shot at two Queensland police officers has opened up about his son’s gun obsession and how they turned away from religion which eventually led to the horrific murder of the officers.
Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were fatally shot at a property in Wieambilla, three hours outside of Brisbane as they carried out a missing persons call.
Nathaniel and Gareth Train were identified as the two brothers who killed the officers, with their father Ron Train revealing how the pair turned to the dark side.
“I’d describe them as two boys who lost their way in life,” he told A Current Affair, refusing to say they are monsters.
Mr Train explained that he raised his sons with Christian beliefs but they turned away from religion before becoming estranged from their parents when they were in their 20s.
“They went down this track, this dark track, which we have no understanding of.”
He explained that the pair soon became obsessed with guns and that it was Gareth who showed more interest in the activity and was more controlling.
“He was very difficult to control, very overpowering.”
But in a surprising turn of events, Mr Train believes that Nathaniel’s marriage to Stacey Train, the third shooter, was up in the air after Gareth married her.
“I just think in the end that he took over that relationship that Nathaniel and Stacey had,” Mr Train continued.
Nathaniel and Stacey’s two children however were also estranged from the family.
Mr Train said he broke down in tears after hearing what his sons had done saying he couldn’t take responsibility for their actions or defend them.
“I cried out to God, because, you know, I’m a believer. I just could not understand,” he said.
“Those decisions were made as adults. I can’t accept responsibility for something in an adult mind.
“There’s no excuse for that. No excuses for their behaviour, and I don’t excuse my boys of their actions at all.
“They’ll stand before God in this world. They can’t be brought to justice in the secular world, but they will before God.”
Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow were at a property in the western Darling Downs, about three hours west of Brisbane when they were shot on December 12.
One of the neighbours, Alan Dare, 58, was also shot and killed in the attack.
Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow were joined by two other officers, Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both aged 28, at the property.
A six-hour siege ensued, with the officers opening fire about 4.45 pm which saw Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow killed.
Constable Kirk was also wounded while Constable Brough, who was only eight weeks into her new role, managed to escape and raise the alarm.
The pair were finally joined by Special Operations police and helped them shoot dead three suspects, including brothers Nathaniel and Gareth Train, and Stacey Train, after a six hour siege.
Images: Nine News