The father of two brothers at the centre of the brutal "execution-style" killing of two Australian police officers and an innocent neighbour says he doesn't think of them as "monsters".
Four officers were attending a property in Wieambilla, in the Western Downs region west of Brisbane on Monday, to make enquiries regarding a missing person. But as they were walking up the driveway, they were ambushed.
Constable Keely Brough, 28, and constable Randall Kirk, also 28, managed to escape and raise the alarm, while officer Matthew Arnold, 26 and Rachel McCrow, 29, and neighbour Alan Dare were killed.
The missing person was Nathaniel Train, 46, who went missing from Dubbo in New South Wales (NSW) in December 2021, but was only reported missing a few days ago.
Train's brother Gareth, 47, who reportedly owns the property, was there too, along with 45-year-old Stacey Train.
All three were shot and killed by special operations police in a gunfight, shortly after 10:30pm (local time) on Monday, after a massive manhunt.
The brothers' father Ronald Train, a retired pastor and author, told A Current Affair on Wednesday he wouldn't describe his sons as "monsters".
He told the programme he had never stopped loving them despite being estranged for years, adding they "lost their way in life".
"They went down this track, this dark track, which we have no understanding of," he told A Current Affair.
Ronald said he understood the anger towards his sons but claimed they have been "demonised in the press". But he added there was no excuse for their actions.
"I can understand completely why that's occurred … and I can understand how the police feel."
He told the programme his sons will "stand before God" for what they have done.
"Those decisions were made as adults. I can't accept responsibility for something in an adult mind," he told A Current Affair.
"There's no excuse for that. No excuses for their behaviour, and I don't excuse my boys of their actions at all."
Ronald Train said they had been estranged from their parents since their early twenties and were both "obsessed" with guns.
He also described Gareth as "very difficult to control [and] very overpowering".
He said he had a "complete meltdown" when he learned what his sons had done.
On Wednesday Ronald broke his silence for the first time, telling the Courier-Mail he had lost two children.
"I am not going to share anything with you, you can speculate and make up as much as you want," he told The Courier-Mail. "I have lost two children. I have already had conversations with police."
The horrific killing rocked the state with Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers describing the tactics used by the killers.
"This ruthless, murderous trio, they have gone and executed the two police officers on the ground in cold blood," he told media.
"We have never seen anything like this. It is an absolute tragedy. This was a pure execution ... they had no chance."
Who is Nathaniel Train
Train was living in NSW where he was working as the principal of the local community primary school, the Guardian Australia reports.
The NSW Parliament heard Train sent 16 emails over a two-week period in March this year to the NSW Department of Education about the problems facing the school.
Train had been in contact with family members in October but they had failed to make contact with him recently and held "serious concern" for his welfare, a statement issued by NSW police said.
Tributes flow for killed Queensland officers
Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the horrific killing was devastating for the victims' families and police.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the officers' families, friends and colleagues and our thoughts are with them during this extremely difficult time," Carroll said.
"I would like to pay tribute to all police and first responders who assisted at the scene and are continuing to respond this evening. Tragically, this is the largest loss of life the QPS has suffered in one single incident in recent times."
Carroll said the "devastating news" will be felt across Queensland.
"It is a sad reminder of the unpredictable nature of policing and the incredible dangers our officers face while protecting our community."
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a heartbreaking day for the families.
"Terrible scenes in Wieambilla... My condolences to all who are grieving tonight - Australia mourns with you," Albanese wrote on Twitter.
