In a shocking turn of events, a survivor has recounted harrowing details from the recent Lake Cargelligo shooting, stating that the alleged shooter, Julian Ingram, was laughing during the tragic incident. This chilling revelation comes as New South Wales police actively pursue leads to locate Ingram, who is now suspected of committing a triple murder.
Authorities are currently combing through remote locations within New South Wales for any signs of Ingram. An unverified sighting linked him to Mount Hope, situated in the central western part of the state, early on Sunday morning. However, police are also investigating additional information that could tie him to this secluded area, which lies northwest of where the deadly shootings took place.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland provided an update on Monday, mentioning that while further details about the reported sighting—made by a couple of witnesses—could not be disclosed, there have been other incidents that might connect Ingram to Mount Hope. When questioned about whether these incidents involved break-ins or missing items, Holland opted for discretion, stating, "I’d rather not say at this point."
Ingram, aged 37, is accused of fatally shooting his pregnant ex-girlfriend, her new partner, and her aunt last Thursday in Lake Cargelligo, after which he fled the scene. At the time of the incident, he was out on bail due to domestic violence allegations brought forth by his former partner, Sophie Quinn.
Sophie Quinn, only 25 years old and expecting a son, was tragically shot while sitting in a car on Bokhara Street around 4:20 PM. Her partner, John Harris, was present in the vehicle and also met a fatal end at that moment. Following this, police were alerted to another shooting on Walker Street, where they discovered Nerida Quinn, aged 50, and Kaleb Macqueen, 19, both shot in the driveway. Nerida, Sophie’s aunt, succumbed to her injuries, while Macqueen is currently in serious but stable condition.
Macqueen shared his experience with Nine News, explaining that he was outside a friend’s mother’s home when the suspect opened fire, leading to Nerida’s tragic fate. He detailed, "She obviously went towards the ute, I heard boom, boom… she was holding her neck."
He continued with a horrifying account: "He was laughing, and gave her one good shot to the head, and she was gone. I saw him point a gun out the window, and within seconds it was just too late. It was just fight or flight."
The trauma has left Macqueen with "terrible nightmares" following the attack.
While Assistant Commissioner Holland refrained from confirming how many properties had been searched in Mount Hope, he indicated that police were assessing their resource capacity in the area. Amid swirling rumors regarding Ingram's sighting—including claims that he had waved a gun at those who spotted him—some residents chose to evacuate the town late Sunday.
Holland emphasized the police's increased presence in the area to ensure resident safety, stating, "We are giving extra attention to that area… if people feel insecure, I recommend people stay in their premises. They are not in lockdown; they are free to travel around the area, but again for those camping or visiting, my suggestion would be it’s time to go home."
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, it’s crucial to seek help. In Australia, you can contact the national family violence counseling service at 1800 737 732. For those in the UK, the national domestic abuse helpline can be reached at 0808 2000 247, or you can visit Women’s Aid for support. In the United States, the domestic violence hotline is available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). For additional international resources, please visit www.befrienders.org.
