Three people were killed and a fourth was seriously wounded in two shootings at Lake Cargelligo in central-western New South Wales, prompting a large police search and warnings for residents to remain inside.
Officers were first called to Bokhara Street at about 4:20 p.m. local time. Police found Sophie Quinn, 25, and John Harris, 32, suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. Both received treatment at the scene but died. A second call took police to Walker Street, where Nerida Quinn, 50, and Kaleb Macqueen, 19, had reportedly been shot in a driveway. Quinn died there, while Macqueen was taken to a Canberra hospital in serious but stable condition.
Police sought Julian Ingram, 37, in connection with the killings and released his photograph to the public. Authorities also said he was known as “Hoolio” and Pierpoint. Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland described him as armed and dangerous and said he was believed to be moving in a Ford Ranger utility vehicle carrying council markings, a metal tray, high-visibility side panels and a roof emergency light. He was last seen driving away from Lake Cargelligo.
More than 100 officers were deployed, including tactical personnel, negotiators and homicide investigators flown into the area with support from police aviation and the defence force. Multiple crime scenes were established. Stores, a medical centre and a veterinary practice closed after police advice, while community liaison officers worked with the local Aboriginal community. Lake Cargelligo has a population of roughly 1,300 to 1,500 people.
Court records showed that Sophie Quinn had obtained an apprehended domestic violence order against Ingram in December. He had been granted bail on November 30 on domestic-violence-related charges and was required to report daily to the local police station, comply with the order and remain at least 100 metres from Quinn, her home and her workplace. He had pleaded not guilty to stalking or harassment intended to cause physical harm, common assault and property damage, with a court hearing scheduled for February 3.
Holland said Ingram had complied with the bail conditions and had been checked several times. He declined to define the relationships between the suspect and victims during the active investigation. Police said Ingram had never held a New South Wales firearms licence; investigators were examining how he obtained a weapon.
The search continued into the following day. Authorities asked anyone who saw the vehicle or had information to contact emergency services and warned members of the public not to approach the suspect. State Premier Chris Minns called the inquiry active and serious and expressed support for the victims, their families and officers involved in the response.
