New details have emerged about last week’s triple killing in central west New South Wales, as police continue a major manhunt for a 37-year-old council worker believed to be responsible.
Police are searching for Julian Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, following shootings in the small town of Lake Cargelligo that left three people dead and one seriously injured.
A 25-year-old pregnant woman, now identified as Sophie Quinn, and her new partner, John Harris, 32, were found dead inside a vehicle on Bokhara Street on Thursday afternoon. Police sources confirmed the woman was about seven months pregnant.
A short time later, shots were reported at a home on Walker Street, where Sophie’s aunt, Nerida Quinn, 50, was fatally shot in a driveway. A 19-year-old man, Kaleb Macqueen, was wounded and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
As the search enters its seventh day, local residents have told media the alleged gunman had recently learned he was not the father of Sophie’s unborn child, a development they believe may have triggered the violence.
“Sophie was his partner at one point,” one resident told The Daily Telegraph.
“The thing that really tripped him in the last week, I think, before this event, the baby that she was carrying … was confirmed not [to be] his child. That’s the final straw.”
Ingram, a council gardener and weeds officer, is alleged to have had strong ties to the region and is familiar with the remote landscape around Mount Hope, about 90 kilometres from Lake Cargelligo, where police have expanded their search.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said police were acting on reports Ingram was seen in the Mount Hope area in the early hours of Sunday.
“We believe he’s working alone,” the Assistant Commissioner said.
“He’s been in the area a long time, he knows the area well, he has connections in the community, so we’re not discounting that fact that he’s been supported by the community.”
While there is no lockdown in place, police have advised concerned residents to stay indoors and avoid approaching the suspect.
“The [alleged] offender is considered armed and dangerous,” Holland added.
“For the people in the Mount Hope [region], we need them to exercise extreme caution. There is an active gunman loose in their area.”
NSW Police have released images of a Ford Ranger dual-cab utility Ingram was last seen driving. The vehicle, owned by Lachlan Shire Council, has NSW registration DM-07-GZ and may have a council magnet on the driver’s door, the number 1947 above it, an orange emergency light bar on the roof, and tools in the tray.
Ingram is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165 to 170 centimetres tall, of medium build, with short dark hair and brown eyes.
“Anyone who sees Julian or the vehicle is urged not to approach and contact triple-zero (000) immediately,” police said.
Police have confirmed Ingram was on bail at the time of the shootings for alleged domestic violence offences and was due to face court for an apprehended violence order hearing on February 3.
The assistant commissioner said Ingram had complied with his bail conditions, including daily reporting, and had not committed a violent offence in the previous five years.
“A risk assessment would have been done at the time,” he said.
At least 100 officers, including tactical police, helicopters and Defence Force personnel, have been deployed as part of the search.
Holland said investigators were still working to determine how Ingram accessed firearms.
“The gentleman involved has never held a firearms licence,” he said.
Images: NSW Police/ Facebook
