Three people have been killed and another seriously injured following a shocking shooting in the small New South Wales town of Lake Cargelligo, prompting a large-scale police manhunt and urgent warnings for residents to stay indoors. The incident, which unfolded on the afternoon of 22 January, has left the tight-knit community of around 1,400 people in deep shock.
Emergency services were first called to reports of gunfire on Bokhara Street at about 4.30 pm (local time) on Thursday. Officers from the Central West Police District arrived at the scene to find a woman and a man inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims – identified locally as 25-year-old Sophie Quinn and 32-year-old John Harris – were treated at the scene but were later pronounced dead. Moments later, police responded to reports of further shots on nearby Walker Street, where a 50-year-old woman, Nerida Quinn, was found dead at the scene and a 19-year-old man, Kaleb Macqueen, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Police have confirmed that all three people who died were local residents. The nature of their relationships to one another is still being investigated, and authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive. A crime scene has been established at both locations, and forensic examinations are underway as part of the broader investigation.
The alleged gunman, identified by police as 37-year-old Julian Ingram, remains at large. The search for Ingram has become a major operation involving more than 100 officers, including specialist tactical units, negotiators and homicide investigators. Residents received geo-targeted emergency alerts urging them to stay inside their homes and avoid the town centre until the situation is resolved. Several local businesses temporarily closed as police intensified their efforts to locate the suspect.
Ingram, described as “armed and dangerous,” was reportedly last seen driving a utility vehicle displaying signage from the Lachlan Shire Council, where he is employed as a council gardener. Police have said he did not hold a firearms licence, and inquiries are ongoing into how he accessed weapons. Ingram was known to law enforcement, with reports indicating he was on bail at the time of the shooting and was subject to legal restrictions including an apprehended violence order; however, authorities have stressed that he had complied with those conditions prior to the incident.
Residents in Lake Cargelligo, many of whom say they know one another personally, have described being stunned by the violence. Neighbours recounted hearing multiple gunshots and seeing emergency responders arrive soon after. Local officials, including the mayor of Lachlan Shire, have expressed profound sadness at the tragic loss of life in what is usually a quiet rural community, and have urged anyone with information to assist police by coming forward.
As the manhunt continues, police have reiterated warnings that the public should not approach the suspect if spotted, and should instead contact emergency services immediately. The hunt for Ingram is ongoing, and authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the deadly shootings.
