The alleged shooter may have left Lake Cargelligo. Photo: Wikimedia commons/Mattinbgn.
Note: This article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died.
A man at-large and accused of shooting and killing three people in Lake Cargelligo was on bail for alleged domestic violence offences and has never held a firearms licence, NSW Police has revealed.
More than 100 police officers are looking for 37-year-old Julian Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, who is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder.
Three people – two women and a man – have been confirmed dead after emergency services rushed to Walker Street in Lake Cargelligo, following reports of a shooting on Thursday afternoon (22 January).
Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Holland told a press conference on Friday afternoon that the alleged shooter had not been apprehended and was last seen on a road travelling out of Lake Cargelligo.
Reporters asked him if Rankins Springs and the Mallee were areas they were searching, but the senior policeman said he did not want to disclose other locations.
Mr Holland also confirmed the alleged shooter had been in a domestic relationship with one of the alleged victims and was currently on bail for alleged domestic violence offences.
“He was on police bail initially, three days later he went before the court who saw fit to continue the bail,” Mr Holland said.
When questioned by journalists about why he was given bail, Mr Holland defended the decision.
“In the time he has been on bail, he had complied with every condition and police checked on him several times. At that time, he had not committed a violent offence in the past five years,” he said.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that pregnant woman Sophie Quinn, 25, was one of the three alleged victims and a former partner of the alleged offender.
Sophie Quinn was just 25 years old and expecting a baby. Photo: Facebook.
Mr Ingram, who worked as a gardener for Lachlan Shire Council, had a “long history” of interaction with police.
Mr Holland also said the alleged offender had never held a firearms licence and that police were investigating how he allegedly gained access to a gun.
The Assistant Commissioner said Mr Ingram had a good knowledge of the local area so it was feasible he could remain at-large for some time. Mr Ingram had access to a council vehicle which did not have GPS tracking.
Residents in the town of Lake Cargelligo are advised to stay at home, but no lockdown is in place – people can leave their home to get essential items. On Friday, almost all local businesses were closed.
“There are specialist police forces that have been moved into site,” Acting Police Minister Paul Scully said.
“As that operation continues, people are encouraged to stay at home, if possible, to follow police instructions to provide any information, whether it be to Crime Stoppers, to triple 0 or to their local police in the area, but most importantly, don’t confront the individual that’s being pursued over this. He is [allegedly] armed. We believe he is dangerous, but please just listen to police.”
Mr Ingram is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165 to 170 cm tall, of a medium build with short dark hair and brown eyes.
NSW Police has released an image of Julian Ingram who is wanted on an outstanding warrant. Photo: NSW Police.
He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ described as having council signage, a metal tray back, high visibility markings on the side and an emergency light bar on the roof.
Anyone who sees Mr Ingram is urged not to approach and contact triple zero (000) immediately.
Additionally, police are appealing for anyone in the Lake Cargelligo area who may have mobile phone or dashcam vision, CCTV, photos, screenshots, or other material relevant to this incident to upload what they have on the following link.
Members of the public are required to provide a name and contact details when uploading material.
Lake Cargelligo has a population of 1500 and is located 90 minutes north of Griffith.
It's it like they can shooting them. Govt have taken their guns. Would say you have to yell curses… View