A Queensland court has heard the chilling first-hand account of a man who survived a brutal shooting that claimed the lives of his mother, stepfather, and brother at a remote cattle property in 2022.

Darryl Valroy Young, 63, has pleaded not guilty in the Townsville Supreme Court to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The prosecution alleges that Mr. Young, the owner of Shannonvale Station in Bogie, shot and killed his neighbors Graham Tighe, Maree Schwarz, and Mervyn Schwarz, and attempted to kill Ross Tighe on August 4, 2022.

A Tense Confrontation at the Gate

Giving evidence via video link from Mackay, 34-year-old Ross Tighe described how what began as a tense meeting at a boundary gate quickly escalated into a nightmare. According to Mr. Tighe, his family had driven to the gate connecting Shannonvale Station and their own property, Sutherland Station, to meet with Mr. Young.

Mr. Tighe testified that relations were strained from the outset, with Mr. Young refusing to shake Mervyn Schwarz's hand. He told the court that Mr. Young then accused the family of stealing calves and stressed his cattle by "galloping them"—allegations that Mr. Tighe strongly denied in court, adding that none of his family members were armed.

The Moments of the Shooting

The situation turned deadly when Mr. Young allegedly retrieved a rifle from the back of his utility vehicle and opened fire without warning.

"He shot Merv in the face — then I turned around to start running," Mr. Tighe told the jury, describing his desperate bid for cover between the parked vehicles. "When I turned, I'm pretty sure I got shot in the stomach and it went into my hip. I saw Graham had been shot as well on the ground."

As he sought cover, Mr. Tighe caught a final glimpse of his mother, Maree Schwarz. "She had been shot, she was sort of on her knees, hiding her stomach," he said.

A Desperate Escape

Injured and running for his life, Mr. Tighe fled down a nearby hill, collapsing several times due to his leg failing. While hiding in the grass and attempting to cover himself, he reported hearing two final gunshots echo through the quiet property.

After waiting about ten minutes, Mr. Tighe returned to the gate where he made a devastating discovery. Finding his mother deceased in one of the family's utility vehicles, he managed to scramble into another car, drive away to find emergency help, and was later airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital.

Defense Challenges Witness Credibility

The defense team, led by barrister Anthony J. Kimmins, has presented a starkly different version of events, arguing that Mr. Young never even saw the family on the day of the alleged incident.

During cross-examination, Mr. Kimmins questioned Mr. Tighe about the family’s extensive cattle operations across Queensland, seeking to clarify the financial structures and ownership details of their properties. The defense also pointed to past cooperative activities between the neighbors, including a joint fencing project and a recreational pig hunting trip, suggesting a history of neighborly collaboration prior to the tragedy.

The trial, which is expected to last three weeks, continues in Townsville.