Police officer who managed to escape Doomsday prepper shooters who killed his two colleagues breaks his silence as he recovers in hospital after the tragedy
- Constable injured during Wieambilla shootout breaks his silence from hospital
- Randall Kirk underwent surgery after being shot in leg while escaping ambush
- Main thoughts are with grieving families of two colleagues shot dead Monday
- He and pregnant wife overwhelmed by messages of support across Australia
A policeman injured in a horrific shooting that claimed the lives of two of his colleagues and an innocent neighbour has broken his silence from his hospital bed.
Chinchilla-based Constable Randall Kirk, 28, was one of four officers called out to investigate a remote property in Wieambilla, three hours west of Brisbane, on Monday, where missing principal Nathaniel Train was thought to have visited.
Mr Kirk’s colleagues constables Rachel McCrow, 29 and Matthew Arnold, 26, were murdered by Train, his brother Gareth and sister-in-law Stacey during the execution-style ambush.
Constable Kirk managed to escape to his police car, despite being shot in the leg, while another colleague, rookie cop Keely Brough, 28, scrambled into bushland and hid.
He said his injuries are far from his main concern in a statement issued by the Queensland Police Union on his behalf on Wednesday.
‘I’m feeling fine, just a little sore. My main thoughts are with the other police families at this awful time,’ he said.
Constable Randall Kirk (pictured with wife Breanna) has spoken from his hospital bed after surviving a horrific shooting ambush that took the lives of two of his colleagues.
‘It means a lot to know the community cares for us all.
‘My wife and I have a young family and would appreciate privacy as we come to terms with this.’
The police union also shared a photo of the surviving officer in hospital with his heavily pregnant wife Breanna
He is expected to be released from Toowoomba Hospital within days and return to his wife and young daughter at home.
The couple will welcome their second child next month.
QPU President Ian Leavers has assured his family he will be assisted with a return to work plan and ongoing support,’ the union added in a statement.
‘The surgeons and nursing teams did a tremendous job and he will be released from hospital soon to continue his recovery at home with his wife Breanna and their young daughter.
‘The Kirks are expecting another baby next month and the family are thankful they will be together for this important moment.
Constable Kirk also wanted to thank the public for their messages.
‘Randall and Bree have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from everyone from the Prime Minister down,’ the union added.
Constable Randall Kirk and his wife Breanna (pictured on their wedding day) will welcome the arrival of their second child next month
The update comes after Breanna Kirk broke her silence to say her husband was ‘doing well’ after undergoing ‘minor’ surgery to remove shrapnel.
‘When I first spoke to Randall at the Chinchilla Hospital (on Monday night), his first thoughts were for his colleagues,’ she told Warwick Stanthorpe Today on Tuesday.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Randall’s deceased colleagues.’
‘Randall and I are very grateful for the overwhelming support from the Chinchilla and Stanthorpe communities.’
‘We have spoken to the Police Minister Mark Ryan (Tuesday) morning, and he has offered wonderful encouragement and support.’
Faces of the dead: Matthew Arnold, 26, was killed upon arriving at the property, as was Rachel McCrow, 29
Police are still probing the motive of Monday’s attack, including whether the officers were lured to the property and the killers’ links to extremist conspiracy groups online.
Their killers – former school principal Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and sister-in-law Stacey – died in a firefight with heavily armed tactical officers later that night.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said investigators would look at the killers’ possible extremist links after a series of posts under the name of Gareth Train were uncovered on conspiracy theory forums.
The posts include references to anti-vaccine sentiments and claims high-profile shootings were hoaxes or false-flag operations.
A timeline of events at the Wiembilla shootout that left two police, three assailants and a neighbour dead
Heartbroken locals paid tribute to the fallen officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow outside Tara Police station, where the two constables were stationed
‘It’s very difficult at the moment for us to reason with what has happened, there are no obvious reasons,’ Ms Carroll told ABC’s 7.30.
‘But within the next few days and the next few weeks, I have no doubt that we will come back … (with) some insight into what we believe took place.’
She added every possible motivation for the killings was being looked at, including whether it was a premeditated attack on the officers.
‘Some of the stuff that’s online from these people, we will investigate what they have been doing not only in recent weeks but in recent years, who they’ve been interacting with … their online presence, every aspect of this will be thorough,’ Commissioner Carroll said.
Nathaniel Train (pictured) was a successful and well-liked educator for 23 years before his life derailed earlier this year
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