Ambush, siege in rural Australia leaves 6 dead, including 2 police officers

Both of the officers killed ‘didn’t stand a chance’ when fired upon, Queensland’s police commissioner said. ‘I don’t know how two got out alive’

They were identified as Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29. Arnold was sworn in as an officer in 2020 and McCrow in 2021

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Floral tributes are seen at a police station in Tara, Queensland, on Tuesday after an ambush in which two officers and a bystander were killed. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:13am, 13 Dec 2022Updated: 2:23pm, 13 Dec 2022

Six people, including two police officers, were shot and killed at a property in rural Australia after officers who arrived to investigate reports of a missing person were ambushed, authorities said on Tuesday.

Police said the violence began at about 4:45pm on Monday when four officers arrived at a remote property in Queensland state.

At least two heavily armed shooters opened fire on police officers at the rural property in Wieambilla, authorities said. Police returned fire but two officers were critically injured and died at the scene, and a neighbour was also killed during the firefight, police said.

An Australian policewoman patrols near the scene of the fatal shooting in Wieambilla, Queensland, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

In that initial confrontation, a third officer was grazed by a bullet while the fourth escaped, Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said at a briefing. She said it was a miracle that two officers had survived and that one was able to raise the alarm.

“In my view, the officers didn’t stand a chance, and I don’t know how two got out alive,” Carroll said after visiting the scene. She said the officers were shot in an exposed area in front of the house.

Police identified the officers who were killed as Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29. Arnold was sworn in as an officer in 2020 and McCrow in 2021.

Ian Leavers, the president of the Queensland Police Union, said the officers walked into a hail of gunshots. He said that as one officer took cover in long grass, the offenders lit a fire to try and coax her out.