New South Wales police received chilling threats from one of the men who fatally shot two Queensland officers at least five hours before the killings, a coroner has heard.
State coroner Terry Ryan, who is investigating the fatal shooting of six people at a rural Queensland property on December 12, 2022, heard testimony for the first time from New South Wales police officers on Monday.
Mr Ryan heard Gareth Train, 47, emailed his brother Nathaniel, 46, claiming NSW Police wanted him “dead” and told others he would “give them a proper hello” if officers came to his door.
The emails were received by NSW Police on the day they were sent, 11 December 2022, and were read and reviewed by an officer before 11am the following day.
At approximately 5.30pm NSW time on 12 December, Queensland constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were shot dead by the brothers in Wieambilla, west of Brisbane, while attempting to locate Nathaniel Train.
NSW Police Sergeant Simon Thorpe testified at Brisbane Coroner’s Court on Monday that he spoke to a close associate of Nathaniel Train at a NSW regional police station on November 23, 2022, about the procedure for reporting him missing.
Sgt Thorpe said he entered details of Gareth Train’s emails into the police information system on the morning of December 12 but did not realise they contained references to a confrontation with police in the coming days.
“They’ll try to see you dead at Saturnalia,” Gareth Train told his brother in the email, referring to the ancient Roman festival held on December 17 that is linked to both celebration and symbols of human sacrifice.
NSW Police received chilling threats from Gareth Train (pictured with his wife Stacey) at least five hours before they, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, fatally shot two Queensland officers.
Gareth Train, 47, emailed his brother Nathaniel, 46 (pictured) claiming NSW Police wanted “you dead”.
The close associate forwarded to Sgt Thorpe several emails sent by Gareth Train between 10 and 11 December 2022, after becoming aware of the missing persons report.
The emails contained numerous insults directed at the police, accusing them of being corrupt since 1788, and obscene slander towards people Gareth Train believed were responsible for the attempt to locate his brother.
Sgt Thorpe said he had submitted to police files that the emails, which included references to Australian spy agency ASIO, suggested Gareth Train had “symptoms of delusional paranoia”.
Mr Ryan was told by Sgt Thorpe, previously entered into the case files in late November 2022, that Nathaniel Train was “becoming paranoid and god-like” in terms of speaking openly about his religious beliefs and that his brother Gareth had a “dislike of the police and authority figures”.
Mr Ryan heard that Sgt Thorpe was shown a letter suggesting Nathaniel Train could attend the remote Wieambilla property, owned by his brother and his brother’s wife Stacey, 45, in December 2022.
Sgt Thorpe was asked by counsel assisting Ruth O’Gorman whether he had been informed by his close associate of her relationship with Gareth and Stacey Train.
“(The associate) … said the relationship was strained… Gareth didn’t like the police or authority figures. He was paranoid,” Sgt Thorpe said of their conversation on November 23, 2022.
The relative cannot be identified due to a court order.
Queensland constables Matthew Arnold, 26 (left) and Rachel McCrow, 29 (right) were shot dead by the brothers in Wieambilla, west of Brisbane, as they attempted to locate Nathaniel.
Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train also killed their neighbour Alan Dare, 58, shortly afterwards. All three Trains were shot dead hours later by specialist officers after they refused to surrender and opened fire on a police armoured vehicle.
Mr Ryan heard that Sgt Thorpe discovered Nathaniel Train had an outstanding warrant in Queensland for illegally crossing the border during COVID-19 lockdowns and for firearms offences.
Sgt Thorpe said he did not tell his close associate about the criminal charges because he was obliged to protect Train’s privacy.
Mr Ryan heard that Sergeant Thorpe had attempted to contact Gareth Train by telephone and left a message.
“My main concern was that… Queensland Police would likely face hostility and he would be uncooperative,” Sgt Thorpe said.
Gareth Train did not respond to Sgt Thorpe’s phone message but said in emails that he had heard it.
Sgt Thorpe was not involved in the decision to send four Queensland officers to the Wieambilla property.
Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train also killed their neighbour Alan Dare, 58, shortly afterwards.
The three train drivers were shot dead hours later by specialist officers after they refused to surrender and opened fire on a police armoured vehicle.