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Coroner Rules Wieambilla Ambush Was Not Terrorism, Cites Shared Delusion

The ruling cites a shared psychotic illness as the cause, prompting recommendations to tighten gun licensing.

Overview

  • Queensland State Coroner Terry Ryan found the Train family acted under an untreated shared delusional disorder, so the 2022 killings do not meet Australia’s legal definition of a terrorist act.
  • Ryan issued 10 recommendations, including considering mandatory mental health assessments for firearms licence applicants and expanding police drone use for remote risk assessments.
  • He found at least some weapons and ammunition were lawfully obtained, and said the officers’ Glock pistols were woefully inadequate against the shooters’ high‑powered rifles from ambush positions.
  • The inquest noted NSW Police did not pass four warning emails to Queensland counterparts, which denied responding officers a fuller risk picture, though the coroner could not say the outcome would have changed.
  • The Special Emergency Response Team’s lethal force was deemed appropriate, proportional and lawful, while victims’ families expressed disappointment and urged swift implementation of reforms.