Three people were shot dead by tactical police late on Monday night, ending a six-hour standoff that followed the apparent ambush-style killings of two uniformed officers and a member of the public on a remote Queensland property.
Four officers from Tara had been sent to the property, at Wieambilla in the Western Downs region, about 270km west of Brisbane, to inquire about a missing person.
Two of those officers, aged in their 20s, were shot and killed soon after they arrived, about 4.45pm. The Queensland police union has described the shooting as “a ruthless, calculated and targeted execution of our colleagues”.
Another police officer was injured while the fourth managed to escape the property and was receiving treatment.
Another person, believed to be a neighbour, was also killed. Unconfirmed reports have suggested the shooters were wearing camouflage.
About six hours later, the incident was ended when three suspects – two men and a woman – were killed by tactical police.
Speaking before the resolution, the Queensland police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, said the deaths of two officers was “devastating news”.
“We are an organisation in mourning tonight,” Carroll said.
Carroll said the injured officer had suffered a “bullet graze” and was in hospital.
No additional information was provided regarding the member of the public who was shot.
“While we are yet to learn the full extent of what has occurred today, we do know this event is extraordinarily distressing on many levels,” Carroll said.
“Those officers paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep our community safe. It is, sadly, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of policing and the incredible dangers our officers face while protecting our community.”
The president of the Queensland police union, Ian Leavers, wrote to members overnight saying the killings were “needless” and “senseless”.
“We are all in a state of shock and disbelief. To be here tonight and know that two brave police, both under the age of 30, have needlessly lost their lives affects all our emotions,” Leavers said.
“To know that she and he are no longer with us in what was a ruthless, calculated and targeted execution of our colleagues and loved ones brings home the very real risks that we face every single day doing our jobs.
“These officers’ lives have been cut tragically short for one reason and one reason alone, for simply doing their job, and we Queensland police remember and honour them.”
The Western Downs regional council mayor, Paul McVeigh, said the community was rallying behind police, with the officers who responded from the nearby towns of Tara and Chinchilla.
“It’s an absolute tragedy in our community,” McVeigh told Guardian Australia. “A couple of young police officers shot dead is an absolute tragedy.”
Anthony Albanese also said it was a heartbreaking loss for the families and friends of the Queensland police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“My condolences to all who are grieving tonight – Australia mourns with you,” the prime minister tweeted.
Terrible scenes in Wieambilla and a heartbreaking day for the families and friends of the Queensland Police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. My condolences to all who are grieving tonight – Australia mourns with you.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 12, 2022
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, a former Queensland police officer, was also moved by the tragedy.
“Deeply distressing news coming out of western Queensland tonight with those police officers who have been murdered,” he wrote. “Police officers face danger every day to keep us from it.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland’s premier, said the deaths were a “horrible tragedy”, and the state’s police minister, Mark Ryan, said the hearts of Queenslanders were broken.
“This is a traumatic, confronting and devastating event for our community.
“The Queensland police service has lost two heroes tonight and I express my sincere condolences to their family, friends and colleagues and the entire police family.”
Police have declared an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) in relation to an ongoing incident at Wieambilla.https://t.co/nh7v08kLs0 pic.twitter.com/MU4LvjGdth
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) December 12, 2022
– with Australian Associated Press
