Six killed in 4-hour Australian gun battle, including two police officers

Colombo (News 1st) - Six people were killed in a 4-hour gun battle in Queensland, Australia on Monday (12th), including two police officers, a rare occurrence in a nation where gun violence is unusual, foreign media reported.

A team of four Queensland Police officers had gone in search of a missing person, a former school principal, in the remote town of Wieambilla, 270km west of Brisbane, on a request from News South Wales Police. They had been ambushed at a house by a 3-member gang who were later identified as the ex-principal, his brother and sister-in-law. Their motive was not known.

A neighbour was also killed in the hail of gunfire that had met the police team, which was caught completely by surprise.

Police reinforcements arrived, but although no less than 16 officers laid siege to the house, the occupants could not be subdued. A Special Emergency Response Team was then called in, and after a lengthy gunbattle shot the three attackers dead.

The slain police officers were named as constables Mathew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29. Another officer was wounded.