Key Takeaways:
- Three people were shot dead in the small town of Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales, with the suspected gunman, Julian Ingram, still at large.
- The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Sophie Quinn, her aunt 50-year-old Nerida Quinn, and a 32-year-old man.
- A 19-year-old man, Kaleb MacQueen, is in hospital with serious injuries after the shooting.
- Police are searching for Julian Ingram, who is described as 165cm-170cm tall, of medium build, with short dark hair and brown eyes.
- Residents have been urged to bring forward any relevant mobile phone, dashcam or CCTV footage, photos, screenshots or other material that may help police with the search and investigation.
Introduction to the Tragedy
The small town of Lake Cargelligo in New South Wales is reeling after a tragic shooting incident that left three people dead and one seriously injured. The suspected gunman, Julian Ingram, is still at large, and police are continuing to search for him. The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Sophie Quinn, her aunt 50-year-old Nerida Quinn, and a 32-year-old man. A 19-year-old man, Kaleb MacQueen, is in hospital with serious injuries after the shooting. The incident has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, with many residents struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Eyewitness Accounts
Neighbours who witnessed the shooting have described the scene as chaotic and terrifying. One neighbour, who asked not to be named, told the ABC that he heard gunshots before the man and the younger woman were found dead in a vehicle on Bokhara Street. He said, "It was maybe five pops, four pops…it sounded like a bucket had fallen off on my front verandah." Another neighbour, who also asked for her name to be withheld, said she did not suspect it was gunshots at first, but later realized the severity of the situation when she saw CPR being performed on one of the victims.
Victim Tributes
The family of the victims has paid tribute to their loved ones, describing them as kind and selfless individuals. Sophie Quinn was described as someone who loved her friends, loved her nephews, and loved being outdoors. Her aunt, Nerida Quinn, was described as someone who was always there for everybody’s kids and loved her family. The family member said, "She was always there for everybody’s kids … She loved her family." The community is coming together to support the families of the victims and to try to make sense of the tragedy.
Search for the Suspected Gunman
Police are searching for Julian Ingram, who is described as 165cm-170cm tall, of medium build, with short dark hair and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ, featuring council signage, a metal tray back, high-visibility markings on the sides, and an emergency-light bar on the roof. Residents have been urged to bring forward any relevant mobile phone, dashcam or CCTV footage, photos, screenshots or other material that may help police with the search and investigation. Almost 100 police officers are on the ground in the Lake Cargelligo area searching for the suspected gunman.
Community Response
The community is in shock and is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Medcalf said it was a tragedy for the community of just 1,500 people. He said, "It’s a tight-knit community…It’s going to affect this town for quite a long time." The mayor urged residents to come forward with any information that may help police with the search and investigation. Mental health services for the community will be a focus once the police have finished their investigation and the search for the gunman.
Investigation
Assistant Commissioner of the Western Region Command, Andrew Holland, confirmed that Julian Ingram did not have a NSW firearms licence. He said determining how Mr. Ingram accessed firearms would form part of the investigation. The council vehicle he was driving was not fitted with GPS tracking, and it is not known if he has access to other vehicles. The search area is fluid, and police are urging residents to be vigilant and to report any sightings of the suspected gunman. The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to piece together the events surrounding the tragedy.