Key Takeaways
- Three people were shot dead in a remote New South Wales town, Lake Cargelligo, on Thursday
- A 37-year-old man, Julian Ingram, is being searched for in connection with the shootings
- The victims were all locals, and the town has been left in shock and grief
- A large-scale search is underway, with police helicopters and tactical officers involved
- Residents are being urged to stay indoors and come forward with any relevant information or footage that may assist the investigation
Introduction to the Incident
A tragic incident occurred in the remote New South Wales town of Lake Cargelligo on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three people. The incident began when police responded to reports of shots being fired in Bokhara Street, where they found a man and a woman, aged 32 and 25 respectively, dead in a vehicle. Shortly after, police were called to another report of shots being fired on Walker Street, where they found another male and female with gunshot wounds. The woman, 50, died, while the man, 19, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Search for the Suspect
The police have identified a 37-year-old man, Julian Ingram, also known as Pierpoint, as the person they are searching for in connection with the shootings. Ingram is described as being approximately 165-170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ, which has council signage, a metal tray-back, high-visibility markings on the side, and an emergency light bar on the roof. The police are urging anyone with information about Ingram’s whereabouts to come forward and are warning residents to be cautious and stay indoors.
Response from Authorities
The Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland, stated that all of those killed were locals and that the police are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of the community. A large-scale search is underway, with police helicopters circling the town and tactical officers and Defence Force personnel flown in to assist. The police are also urging residents to come forward with any relevant mobile phone, dashcam, CCTV, photo, screenshot, or other material that might assist with the search and investigation. All access points into Lake Cargelligo remain closed, and residents are being advised to stay indoors for their own safety.
Community Reaction
The incident has left the small town of Lake Cargelligo in shock and grief. Lachlan Shire Mayor John Metcalf described the incident as a "crying shame" and stated that it was the last thing you would expect to happen in a town of that size. Assistant Commissioner Holland acknowledged that the scenes would have been "horrendous" and that the police would be caring for the welfare of the community in the future. The town, which has a population of fewer than 1,500 people, is known for its beautiful lake and close-knit community, making the incident even more tragic and devastating.
Investigation and Next Steps
The police are working tirelessly to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrator to justice. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The community is being supported by the police and other emergency services, and counseling services are being made available to those affected by the incident. The police are also working to ensure that the town is safe and secure, with an increased presence of police in the area. As the investigation continues, the police are reminding residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.