A cattle farmer in Queensland, Australia, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 40 years for the murder of three members of a neighboring family and the attempted murder of a fourth. Darryl Valroy Young, 63, was found guilty by a jury on Friday of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The shooting occurred on August 4, 2022, at the gate of Young's cattle station in Bogie, southwest of Townsville. The victims were Mervyn Schwarz, his wife Maree, and her son Graham Tighe. Young believed the family had stolen livestock, prompting him to call them to a meeting at his property gate.
Justice Christopher Johnstone described Young's actions as 'heinous' and the 'worst kind of offending,' stating that Young opened fire on the family with a rifle as if he were 'killing feral animals on your property.' Graham's brother, Ross Tighe, survived the attack but was shot in the lower torso and underwent lifesaving emergency surgery.
Young was also sentenced to 16 years for the attempted murder of Ross Tighe. The jury deliberated for three days following a four-week trial before reaching their verdict. Graham Tighe was survived by a young family.