Three conspiracy theorists had shared delusions but did not carry out a terrorist act when they ambushed police in an attack that killed six people, a coroner says.
Almost three years after the Wieambilla shootings shocked the world, State Coroner Terry Ryan on Friday delivered his findings in Brisbane.
Brothers Nathaniel, 46, and Gareth Train, 47, used high-powered rifles to gun down Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, at a rural property west of Brisbane on December 12, 2022.
They joined Gareth Train's wife Stacey, 45, to also fatally shoot 58-year-old neighbour Alan Dare.
An inquest last year heard expert evidence that the Trains engaged in terrorism that was religiously motivated by their extreme Christian beliefs.
Ryan said he accepted the psychiatric expert evidence in regards to the Trains' motives, saying the trio suffered from a "shared delusional disorder".
"They were psychotically unwell and driven by their beliefs."
But Ryan said it was not possible to conclude the Trains committed a terrorist act under definition of the Commonwealth criminal code.
A Christian premillennialism faith in the end of times had become central to the Trains' belief system but it was underpinned by broad psychiatric issues.
"Their beliefs – although wrong – presented extreme danger to any police who attended their property," Ryan said.
"They believed the government was evil and that police officers were demons intent on killing them."
All three Trains were shot dead by specialist police officers hours later after refusing to negotiate or surrender.
Queensland's Special Emergency Response Team acted appropriately in their use of lethal force during a protracted shootout that lasted more than an hour, the coroner said.
"The Trains were intent on killing police officers and intent on dying rather than being taken into custody," Ryan said.
The Trains fortified their property and wanted to kill any police officer that entered rather than influence or intimidate the Queensland government, Ryan said.
Constables 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.
Constables Kirk and Brough narrowly escaped being killed by the Trains.
NSW Police had not passed on the full information in their computer system to Queensland Police when requesting assistance, Ryan found.
"I accept evidence given by witnesses from NSW and Queensland that in policing, more information is always better," Ryan said.
"The Queensland officers would have the opportunity for a more complete risk assessment.
"The officers who did attend [Wieambilla] were denied that opportunity."
Ryan could not find that Queensland police would have conclusively done anything differently if they had more information from NSW police about Gareth Train's threatening behaviour and beliefs.
Ryan also recommended that Queensland police review an expanded use of drones for gathering information about remote properties.
He also called for Queensland to consider mandatory mental health assessments for people applying for firearms licences as at least some of the guns and ammunition used at Wieambilla were lawfully obtained.
Countdown to Wieambilla shootings
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
2020
March: Nathaniel resigns to become principal of Walgett Community College Primary School, NSW
2021
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
2022
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
December 12
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: Constable 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: Constable 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.
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