Lake Cargelligo Shooting Tragedy: Manhunt for Suspect Julian Ingram Continues
A quiet afternoon in the remote New South Wales town of Lake Cargelligo turned into a scene of horror on Thursday when a shooting spree claimed three lives and left a community in shock. The incident, which unfolded in mere minutes, has sparked a widespread police manhunt for 37-year-old Julian Ingram, who is wanted in connection with the killings.
The Fatal Incident
According to police reports and witness accounts, the tragedy began when Sophie Quinn, who was seven months pregnant, and her partner, John Harris, were sitting in a car outside a house in Lake Cargelligo. A utility vehicle approached from the opposite direction, and at least three shots were fired from the driver's side window, fatally striking both Quinn and Harris. Quinn's family revealed she had planned to name her unborn son Troy.
Shortly after this initial shooting, shouts from neighbours alerted authorities to another location. Police rushed approximately one kilometre away to a property on Walker Street, where they found Sophie's aunt, Nerida Quinn, and a neighbour, Kaleb Macqueen, injured. Nerida Quinn succumbed to her injuries, while Macqueen is expected to recover. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots at this second scene, with bullet holes later visible in the front window of Nerida's house.
The Suspect: Julian Ingram
Julian Ingram, also known as "Hoolio," is the primary suspect in these shootings. He was Sophie Quinn's former partner and was on bail at the time for alleged domestic violence offences against her. Ingram had reported to the local police station on the morning of the shooting as part of his bail conditions, but he is now on the run. Police believe he did not even exit the Lachlan Shire council ute he was driving during the attacks.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland stated that Ingram never held a gun licence, and investigations are ongoing into how he obtained the weapon or weapons used. Holland emphasised the danger posed by Ingram, urging residents to "use extreme caution" as the suspect remains at large and is presumed armed. A warrant has been issued for Ingram's arrest on murder charges.
Community Impact and Search Efforts
The shootings have left the small town of Lake Cargelligo, often described as an oasis in the outback, reeling with grief and fear. Floral tributes have been placed near the crime scenes, and the community is awash with rumours as they grapple with the brutality of the events. Sophie's sister, Katy, expressed the family's devastation, stating, "My sister, my aunty, my friend and unborn nephew were massacred."
Police have expanded their search area due to Ingram's known bushcraft skills, which could allow him to evade capture in the vast, remote terrain. Properties in Euabalong and Murrin Bridge have been searched, and on Sunday morning, police responded to a reported sighting of Ingram at Mount Hope, about 70 kilometres north of Lake Cargelligo. The search is complicated by forecasted extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach up to 45 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
Broader Context and Domestic Violence Concerns
This tragedy highlights ongoing issues with domestic violence, particularly affecting Indigenous communities. Both Sophie Quinn and John Harris were Indigenous, and Nerida Quinn was a well-known member of the local Indigenous family. The NSW Aboriginal Land Council issued a statement expressing deep shock and sadness, noting that the victims were "pillars of the local community."
Assistant Commissioner Holland revealed that Ingram had a "long history with criminal matters," including violent offences, though he had not breached any orders in the past five years. Ingram was charged in November with stalking, harassment, common assault, and property damage, to which he pleaded not guilty. An apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO) had been taken out against him by Sophie Quinn in December, with a court review scheduled for February.
As the manhunt continues, police are contacting known associates of Ingram to prevent any assistance in evading capture. The community remains on high alert, with the effects of this tragedy set to echo through generations in this tight-knit NSW town.
