“A disgrace”: Police chief speaks out as manhunt continues

NSW’s police commissioner has labelled the state’s domestic violence toll a “disgrace” as a major manhunt continues for a man accused of killing three people in the central west.

Julian Ingram, 37, has been on the run since January 22 following a series of shootings in Lake Cargelligo.

His ex-partner Sophie Quinn, 25, and her new partner John Harris, 32, were found dead inside a vehicle on Bokhara Street with gunshot wounds. A short time later, police were called to a nearby address where Quinn’s aunt Nerida was found fatally shot.

A fourth victim, Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was also shot and taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

As specialist police and Defence Force personnel continue searching bushland and remote properties around Lake Cargelligo and Mount Hope, Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the case highlighted the ongoing impact of domestic and family violence.

“Domestic and family violence remains a scourge on our community – NSW Police attend over 160,000 calls for service for domestic and family violence each year,” he said.

“In the last year, we charged over 33,000 individuals with domestic and family violence assaults, which is a disgrace.

“Since I have been the commissioner, I made it really clear that domestic and family violence will be one of my key priorities because of the impact it has on community, and we have seen such a horrific impact here in Lake Cargelligo.”

Lanyon said police would maintain a strong presence in the region until the suspect was arrested and brought before the courts.

“All members of the community should exercise extreme caution. They need to be aware that there is a gunman on the loose in their area,” he said.

Police have confirmed Ingram was on bail for previous domestic violence matters at the time of the alleged shootings. Lanyon said police would work with the NSW government to review bail considerations for offenders accused of domestic violence-related crimes.

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said the search had intensified as officers worked through properties and natural hiding spots across a vast area.

“We have to systematically work through these locations to make sure that we have dotted our I’s and crossed our T’s at every location before we can move to the next location,” he said.

Holland said police believed Ingram was still alive and using his knowledge of the local terrain, including water sources and caves, to avoid capture.

“We are confident that he is in the area. The information is forthcoming from locals and is being passed through our investigators,” he said.

“We are using electronic methods now to track certain locations and will obviously benefit from any information the public is able to provide.”

More than 100 officers are involved in the operation, including tactical units, negotiators and homicide detectives under Strike Force Doberta. Police are also investigating whether Ingram is being assisted by others.

Ingram is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165 to 170 centimetres 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, fitted with council signage, high-visibility markings and an emergency light bar.

As the search stretches into its fifth day of extreme heat, with temperatures above 40 degrees, police say officers remain committed on the ground.

“This is the fifth day of over 40-degree temperatures. Yet our police have been unwavering. I’m incredibly proud of the work they’re doing and their commitment to this community,” Lanyon said.

The prolonged manhunt has left residents in Lake Cargelligo and surrounding towns feeling anxious.

“Everybody’s on edge while the suspect is still at large,” Lachlan Shire mayor John Medcalf said.

“People don’t feel like leaving their homes.”

Authorities have urged calm, reassuring residents that the heavy police presence is for their safety.

“The community should not be alarmed by the extra police, and we ask everybody in the area to remain vigilant,” Central West Police said in a social media post.

Unease has also spread to neighbouring towns. Cobar mayor Jarrod Marsden said fear was palpable even 100 kilometres from the last reported sighting.

“Every little sound in the middle of the night, people think it could be something,” he said.

Police continue to urge anyone who sees Ingram or the vehicle not to approach and to call triple zero immediately.

Images: NSW Police