Police in New South Wales have escalated a manhunt following an unconfirmed sighting of Julian Ingram, a suspect in a triple murder case that has shocked a remote community. The reported sighting occurred early on Sunday morning at Mount Hope, approximately 70 kilometres north of Lake Cargelligo, where the shootings took place on Thursday afternoon.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
Ingram, 37, who also goes by the name Julian Pierpoint, is suspected of shooting dead his pregnant former partner, Sophie Quinn, 25, her new boyfriend, John Harris, and her aunt, Nerida Quinn, 50, in Lake Cargelligo. The incident unfolded on Thursday, with police responding to reports of shootings on Bokhara Street and Walker Street. Sophie Quinn and John Harris were found shot in a car, while Nerida Quinn and another victim, Kaleb Macqueen, 19, were discovered in a driveway. Nerida Quinn died at the scene, and Macqueen remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Police Response and Search Efforts
In response to the sighting, tactical police units, supported by air assets, have been deployed to the Mount Hope area. Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland highlighted the challenges of the search, noting that some properties in the region exceed 400,000 hectares in size, comparable to metropolitan Sydney. He confirmed that Ingram, a brushcutter employed by the local council, is familiar with brushcutting camps in the area that contain supplies, though the sighting was not in that specific location.
Holland stated that the sighting remains unconfirmed but is being treated seriously. "There have been public witnesses who have identified what they believe to be the offender, and it's a possible sighting," he said on Sunday. "We're acting on the fact that it could well be him." He added that Ingram is believed to be acting alone, but assistance from locals cannot be ruled out.
Background and Vehicle Information
At the time of the shootings, Ingram was on bail related to domestic violence allegations made by Sophie Quinn. Police have clarified that he was last seen driving a white single cab Ford Ranger, a vehicle similar to those used by the Lachlan Shire council, equipped with an emergency orange light bar and possibly carrying work tools. The last confirmed sighting of Ingram was on Thursday as he drove north from Lake Cargelligo towards Mount Hope.
Authorities are still investigating the firearms involved and how Ingram obtained them, noting he has never held a NSW firearms licence. With temperatures forecast to reach the mid to high 40s over the next week, police speculate that Ingram may be moving at night to avoid the heat.
Community Impact and Warnings
Holland assured that no threats from Ingram towards other members of the public have been reported, but acknowledged that Quinn's family feels unsafe while he remains at large. "We're supporting the families involved, we'll make sure those people feel safe," he said. He also warned against misinformation on social media, urging the public to rely on factual information and contact police with any leads.
The community has been cooperative with law enforcement, but the vast and rugged terrain complicates the search efforts as police continue to check properties linked to Ingram.
