The missing man at the centre of a bloody Queensland massacre, which killed two police officers, is a NSW primary school principal who is believed to have been shot dead alongside his brother at their rural home.
Nathaniel Train and his brother Gareth, along with Gareth’s wife Stacey, allegedly lived at the Wieambilla home — 300km west of Brisbane — where the premeditated tragedy unfolded.
Six people, including two young police officers and a neighbour, were killed in an ambush at the property, south of Chinchilla.
It is believed three of the shooters, two men and a woman, are among those dead.
Police are yet to release the identities of those killed inside the home but reports suggest Train and his brother were shot dead by police.
Four QLD police officers were sent to the Wieambilla property by NSW police, in search for the missing primary school principal who had not been seen since December 16, 2021.
However, it is believed the 46-year-old — a former primary school principal at Yorkeys Knob State School and executive principal of Walgett Community College Primary School — was in contact with family until October 9, 2022.
The Daily Telegraph was told that there were warnings one of Mr Train’s relatives had a strong dislike for police.
The four officers who arrived at the home were met with a hail of gunfire, about 4.30pm on Monday, by three shooters dressed in camouflage gear.
In what looks to be a premeditated attack, the three alleged shooters opened fire from inside the house as police walked up the driveway to enquire about Mr Train.
Horrifyingly, two of the wounded police — Const. Rachel McCrow, 26, and Const. Matthew Arnold, 29 — who lay wounded on the ground, were then approached by two shooters clad in military-style camouflage and shot execution-style.
The shooters then reportedly took the officer’s pistols and police gear and left their bodies where they lay.
Another young female officer, who had just started with the agency, fled into nearby bushland in a bid to escape the terrifying ordeal.
The gunmen then allegedly started a bushfire in the remote town, which has a population of about 100 people, in an attempt to smoke her out.
Thankfully, she was rescued by a 16-strong extraction team of police who also recovered the bodies of the two murdered officers.
The fourth officer, identified as Randell Kirk, 27, was shot in the leg and is recovering in hospital.
A neighbour who came to inspect the scene was also shot and killed. He has been identified as Alan Dare.
The dramatic shootout lasted for hours with specialist operations police flown in to take carriage of the situation.
Police killed two men and a woman about 10.30pm on Monday.
QLD Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll confirmed two officers had lost their lives in the massacre.
“It is with deep sadness that I confirm the deaths of three people, including two officers, during an incident in the Western Downs late this afternoon,” Ms Carroll said.
“Four officers attended a property on Waynes Road in Wieabila in relation to a reported missing person from New South Wales. Tragically, while in attendance, two officers were shot and declared deceased at the scene.
“A member of the public was also shot and is deceased. Another officer received a bullet graze and is receiving treatment in hospital. A fourth officer managed to escape the property and is also receiving treatment.”
Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers confirmed Monday night that all offenders were dead.
“Our thoughts are also with police who bravely contained and managed the subsequent operation that has now resulted in the deaths of all the offenders,” Mr Leavers wrote to police.
