A tragic shooting incident in rural New South Wales has claimed the lives of three people, including a young woman who was just weeks away from giving birth to her first child. The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Sophie Quinn, her 32-year-old friend John Harris, and her 50-year-old aunt Nerida Quinn.
Details of the Lake Cargelligo Shooting
The horrific events unfolded on Thursday afternoon in the Central West town of Lake Cargelligo. At approximately 4:30 PM, emergency services responded to reports of gunshots on Bokhara Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Sophie Quinn and John Harris inside a vehicle, both suffering from critical gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate medical attention at the scene, neither could be saved. Police have since alleged that the shooter is Sophie Quinn's 37-year-old former partner, Julian Ingram, who is also known by the surname Pierpoint.
Second Shooting Incident on Walker Street
After the initial attack, authorities believe Ingram drove just a few minutes to Walker Street on the opposite side of town. There, he allegedly opened fire in a driveway, striking Sophie Quinn's aunt, Nerida Quinn, and a 19-year-old friend, Kaleb MacQueen.
Tragically, Nerida Quinn died at the scene. Kaleb MacQueen was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition. In a heartbreaking twist, MacQueen had posted a tribute on social media just moments before the shooting, writing "RIP old mate" at 4:11 PM to honour a local who had passed away earlier this year.
Police Hunt for Alleged Shooter
Following the attacks, Julian Ingram allegedly fled the area in a council vehicle, prompting a major manhunt. New South Wales Police have issued a warrant for his arrest and are urgently seeking public assistance to locate him.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland provided a description of Ingram during a television appearance on Friday morning. "He's an Aboriginal male, about 165cm tall, medium build, with short brown hair and brown eyes," Holland stated.
Ingram was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with New South Wales registration DM07GZ. The vehicle is described as having council signage, a metal tray back, high visibility markings on the side, and an emergency light bar on the roof.
Family's Heartbreaking Loss
Sophie Quinn's sister, Katy, spoke to media outlets, revealing that her sister was only a month away from becoming a first-time mother. She gave permission for Sophie to be identified and shared that the family had known Julian Ingram for a long time.
"My nephew Troy lost his innocent life. He's the one who didn't deserve this," Katy said, referring to the unborn child. She added that she had been concerned when she learned her sister was dating Ingram, highlighting prior worries about their relationship.
Public Warning and Appeal
Assistant Commissioner Holland emphasised that the public should not approach Julian Ingram under any circumstances. He is believed to be armed and dangerous. Anyone who spots him or the vehicle is urged to contact triple-zero immediately and avoid any interaction.
The New South Wales Police Force continues to investigate this devastating case, which has left the small community of Lake Cargelligo in shock. Authorities are following all leads and encourage anyone with information to come forward to assist in bringing the alleged perpetrator to justice.
