Christian Extremists' Shared Delusion Led to Fatal Shootout

Three Christian extremists, driven by a shared delusional disorder, attacked police officers they perceived as demons. Gareth and Stacey Train, along with Gareth's brother Nathaniel, were responsible for the deaths of two officers, Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, and a neighbor. This tragic event unfolded three years ago on a rural Australian property.

The coroner accepted psychiatric evidence that the Trains suffered from an undiagnosed psychotic illness. Their beliefs, fueled by end-times prophecies and broader persecutory delusions about an evil government, led them to intend to kill the officers. The ambush occurred shortly after police arrived at the property in response to a missing person report.

While rejecting the notion of terrorism, the coroner stressed the extreme danger posed by the individuals due to their delusional framework. Recommendations include mandatory mental health assessments for gun license applicants and improved police risk assessment strategies in remote areas.