MM News

BRISBANE: At least six people, including two police officers are reported to have been killed in an shootout in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

According to local media reports, Special Operations Police shot and killed two alleged gunmen and a woman at a rural property in Wieambilla.

Two police officers were killed in an ambush by the gunmen, who wore camouflage, as they attended the property earlier in the evening. The slain cops were later identified as Constable Rachel McCrow 26 and Matthew Arnold 29.

Const. Rachel McCrow 26 & Matthew Arnold 29 were murdered yesterday during a property visit at #Wieambilla

My tribute to such brave policemen pic.twitter.com/sKkC00qZHt

— Jyotsana Singh Melbourne (@JyotsanaMelborn) December 13, 2022

The two officers, 26 and 29 years old, were “executed”, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said, and it was “a miracle” two of their colleagues had been able to escape the property at Wieambilla, 300km west of Brisbane.

“It’s the first time we’ve seen police executed like this in modern times. Police were simply responding to a call for service and they had no chance,” he said.

The four officers were at the property as part of a missing person enquiry when two men opened fire.

“This was a pure execution,” Leavers said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk have expressed their condolences.