Lake Cargelligo Triple Murder: Fugitive Hunt Intensifies After Mount Hope Sighting
New South Wales police have intensified their search for Julian Ingram, a 37-year-old man suspected of carrying out a triple murder in the remote town of Lake Cargelligo. The fugitive remains at large following Thursday's shooting that claimed three lives, including that of his pregnant former partner.
Survivor Recalls Horrific Attack: 'He Was Laughing'
The only survivor of the shooting, 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen, has provided chilling details of the attack to investigators. Macqueen described how the suspect was laughing as he carried out the shooting that killed Nerida Quinn, 50, in a driveway on Walker Street.
"She's obviously went towards the ute, I heard boom, boom ... she was holding her neck," Macqueen told Nine News. "He was laughing, and gave her one good shot to the head and she was gone. I seen him point a gun out the window, and within seconds it was just too late. It was just fight or flight."
Macqueen, who remains in hospital in serious but stable condition, revealed he has been suffering "terrible nightmares" since the traumatic incident.
Mount Hope Sighting Investigated
Police received an unconfirmed sighting of Ingram at Mount Hope early on Sunday morning, approximately 70 kilometres north-west of Lake Cargelligo. Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland confirmed that officers were investigating this report along with other information that may link the fugitive to the isolated town.
"We are giving extra attention to that area," Holland stated on Monday. "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 people who are camping in the area, or those people who are just visiting, my suggestion would be it's time to go home."
The reported sighting has caused significant concern among residents, with some choosing to leave Mount Hope late on Sunday as rumours circulated about the incident.
Thursday's Shooting Details
The shooting spree occurred on Thursday afternoon in Lake Cargelligo and unfolded across two locations:
- Sophie Quinn, 25, who was pregnant with a son, was shot in a car on Bokhara Street around 4.20pm along with her partner, John Harris. Both died at the scene.
- Police were then called to Walker Street where they found Nerida Quinn, Sophie's aunt, and Kaleb Macqueen shot in a driveway. Nerida Quinn later died from her injuries.
Ingram was on bail at the time of the shootings in relation to domestic violence allegations made by his former partner, Sophie Quinn. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the small NSW community, with effects that will echo through generations in the tight-knit town.
Police Response and Community Impact
Assistant Commissioner Holland declined to confirm the number of properties being searched in Mount Hope or provide specific details about the nature of other incidents being investigated. When asked if these included break-ins or missing property, he responded: "I'd rather not say at this point."
Police are monitoring whether they have appropriate resources for the ongoing manhunt as they continue to search remote properties across New South Wales. The investigation represents a significant challenge given the isolated nature of the locations involved and the potential for the fugitive to move between remote areas.
The tragedy has highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence in regional communities, with three lives lost in a matter of minutes during Thursday's shooting. As the manhunt continues, residents in both Lake Cargelligo and Mount Hope remain on edge, with police urging caution while maintaining their intensive search for the suspected triple murderer.
