"Exercise extreme caution": the search intensifies for an alleged triple murderer believed to be armed in a remote part of New South Wales
The manhunt has escalated for a gunman suspected of taking the lives of his pregnant ex-partner and two others in the isolated region of New South Wales, as authorities investigate the possibility that Julian Ingram, 37, might be receiving assistance in evading capture.
Ingram was last spotted leaving Lake Cargelligo, situated in the central western part of NSW, on Thursday. Authorities suspect he is armed with at least one weapon, although they confirmed that he has never possessed a firearms license.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland stated on Saturday morning that police had conducted searches at two properties in Euabalong for any signs of Ingram the night before.
“I want to emphasize that Lake Cargelligo is not under lockdown,” Holland clarified. “Residents are free to go about their daily activities, but we strongly advise them to exercise extreme caution.”
At the time of the shooting, Ingram was out on bail related to allegations of domestic violence involving one of the victims, Sophie Quinn.
Sophie Quinn, 25, who was expecting a son, was tragically shot while inside a vehicle on Bokhara Street around 4:20 PM on Thursday. Another man, John Harris, was also shot and killed in the same incident.
Following this, police responded to reports of another shooting on Walker Street, where they found Nerida Quinn, 50, and Kaleb Macqueen, 19, both shot in a driveway. Nerida, Sophie’s aunt, unfortunately succumbed to her injuries, while Kaleb is currently in serious but stable condition.
When asked if others associated with Ingram’s former partner should be concerned for their safety, Holland replied, “Everyone should be worried for their safety. He is a man with a firearm and has already committed acts of violence in a rural area. One of the victims only had a connection to the family through that location. This alleged offender's future actions are unpredictable, so people must remain cautious and aware of the danger posed by an armed individual still at large in the vicinity.”
On Saturday morning, police were seen canvassing neighboring properties near the Bokhara Street site, conducting door-to-door inquiries.
In the vicinity of the shooting, several floral tributes were left near a power pole, and pieces of what seemed to be shattered glass were scattered along the road.
A neighbor living next door reported hearing gunfire on Thursday afternoon but had little information about the events that unfolded. Approximately a kilometer away on Walker Street, another resident recounted hearing five shots before rushing next door to discover the wounded individuals in the driveway.
That neighbor anticipated speaking with law enforcement later on Saturday. Residents at the Walker Street home where the shooting took place chose not to comment.
Holland elaborated that Ingram regularly checked in with police as part of his bail conditions, doing so just before 8:12 AM on the day of the shooting. He confirmed that Ingram adhered to all bail requirements, including a risk assessment performed when bail was granted.
“When bail was granted back in November, a risk assessment indicated that it was suitable at that time. The case was presented to the court three days later, and the court supported the police's decision, allowing bail to remain unchanged,” Holland explained.
He added that since the shooting, police have not received any information suggesting that the threat level posed by Ingram has escalated compared to the initial assessment.
Ingram faced charges related to an incident on November 12. Court documents reveal that Sophie Quinn had a domestic violence order (ADVO) issued against him in December, which was due to be reviewed in court on February 3.
Police granted Ingram bail on November 30 for charges connected to domestic violence, which required him to report daily to the Lake Cargelligo police station and adhere to the ADVO stipulations, including maintaining a distance of at least 100 meters from Sophie Quinn, her residence, and her workplace.
Ingram pleaded not guilty to one count of stalking and harassment intended to inflict physical harm, one count of common assault, and one count of damage or destruction of property.
Holland confirmed that authorities believe Ingram is well-acquainted with the area and has skills in bushcraft, prompting police to expand their search radius. Officers have reached out to known associates, but Holland noted the possibility that Ingram might be receiving assistance in avoiding capture.
“Mr. Ingram has been a long-time worker in the area; he is familiar to many locals and is well-known within the community,” Holland stated.
Investigators are still working to determine the source of the firearm or firearms used in the incident, although crime scene analysts have gathered some preliminary information about the types of weapons involved.
Kaleb Macqueen's grandmother, Sandra Little, expressed her thoughts on social media, stating she is "praying" for his recovery and for the families of the other victims.
Sophie Quinn’s sister, Katy Quinn, expressed the sentiment that her Indigenous family could find "no peace" while Ingram remains at large, emphasizing that none of the victim's families feel secure, as all were local residents.
In response to the situation, police confirmed that several specialized units had been deployed overnight, including personnel from PolAir and the defense force, alongside tactical operations teams, negotiators, and homicide detectives.
Authorities described the vehicle Ingram was reportedly seen driving as a Ford Ranger utility truck, marked with council insignia, featuring a metal tray back, high-visibility side markings, and an emergency light bar on the roof.
Holland mentioned on Friday that Ingram was last seen exiting Lake Cargelligo in the council vehicle and confirmed that the alleged shooter was employed by the Lachlan Shire Council. Reports indicate that Ingram served as a gardener and worked as a weeds officer. The Lachlan Shire Council was contacted for further comments on the situation.
Lake Cargelligo is home to approximately 1,300 to 1,500 residents.
Holland acknowledged on Friday that this tragic event would undoubtedly have a profound impact on the community.
"Any loss of life in a small rural town is distressing, but an incident involving shootings will understandably leave residents feeling anxious and extremely concerned," he remarked. "The scene confronted by emergency services personnel would have been nothing short of horrific."
But here's where it gets controversial... What do you think about the effectiveness of the legal system in handling cases of domestic violence? Should there be more stringent measures in place to protect potential victims? Share your thoughts below!
