A pregnant woman and her unborn son have been identified as two of the victims of an alleged triple murder in central west NSW, as a major manhunt continues for the suspected killer.
Mum-to-be Sophie Quinn, 25, was found dead inside a vehicle alongside her boyfriend, John Harris, 32, at Lake Cargelligo, 600km west of Sydney, at about 4.20pm on Thursday. Sophie was due to give birth in March and was planning to call the baby Troy.
The couple had gunshot wounds, allegedly inflicted by her ex-partner Julian Ingram, who is still on the run from police. Sophie and Ingram had separated late last year.
Police allege Ingram later went to a nearby home, where he shot two people known to him, killing Sophie’s aunt, 50-year-old Nerida Quinn, and seriously injuring a 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen.
Mr Macqueen was rushed to hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.
Fragments of glass could be seen on the street near Ms Quinn’s black Suzuki hatchback on Friday morning, with the back windscreen peppered with bullet holes.
Sophie’s sister, Tegan, wrote a heartfelt tribute for her family on Friday morning.
‘My sister and best friend,’ she wrote on social media, alongside photos of the family.
‘My aunty,’ she wrote, alongside a photo of Nerida.
Mum-to-be Sophie Quinn, 25, was found dead inside a vehicle alongside her boyfriend John Harris, 32, at Lake Cargelligo, about 600km west of Sydney
Sophie Quinn’s boyfriend John Harris (above) was killed in the shooting
Sophie’s aunt Nerida Quinn, left, was shot dead. She is pictured with her daughter Mikaila Elms
Tactical police joined the large-scale manhunt on Friday
A large-scale manhunt has been launched to find Ingram, as the town of Lake Cargelligo remains in lockdown more than 14 hours after the alleged murders.
On Friday morning, Western Region Command Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed the incident was linked to a ‘domestic violence relationship’.
‘We’re conducting a wide-scale search of the area around Lake Cargelligo and the adjoining villages,’ he told Sunrise.
‘At this point, we’re looking for public to help us identify both the wanted offender and his vehicle.’
Ingram is described as between 165cm and 170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ, which has council signage, a metal tray back, high-visibility side markings and an emergency light bar on the roof.
Anyone who sees Ingram is urged not to approach him and to contact triple zero immediately.
Specialist police personnel have been flown into the town by PolAir and the Defence Force, including the tactical operations unit, negotiators, and homicide investigators.
Fragments of glass could be seen on the street near Ms Quinn’s black Suzuki hatchback on Friday morning, with the back windscreen peppered with bullet holes
Police on Friday released a photo of suspected killer Julian Ingram
Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition after the shooting
The tragedy has rocked Lake Cargelligo, a small town in central-west NSW
‘At this stage police have identified an offender who is still at large,’ Assistant Commissioner Holland said on Thursday night.
‘We have a large search in the area currently underway and we are requesting that people remain indoors.
‘What I will say is that it’s a tragedy that has taken place in a very small town that will have a big affect on the community.
‘Any death in a small country town is confronting, but again, a scene where you have people shot by firearms is obviously going to make people very, very tense and very, very concerned.’
Roy Butler, the Independent MP for Barwon, said the tragedy was ‘horrific’ for the ‘small and close’ community.
‘The tragic circumstances will affect everyone in town and across NSW and Australia. We don’t have much detail, but it seems in devastating news, three people are dead, one, sadly a pregnant woman,’ Butler said.
‘I am in close contact with police and other members of the community.’
The shootings have rocked the small country town, which has a population of 1,430.
Lake Cargelligo remained in lockdown on Friday morning
Sophie’s sister Tegan wrote a heartfelt tribute for her family on Friday morning
Mum-to-be Sophie Quinn was due to give birth in March
Lachlan Shire Council mayor John Medcalf said the incident was ‘absolutely devastating’.
‘My hope is that people are supporting each other until we get more detailed information and can keep the community informed,’ he said.
Mr Medcalf said he could not provide many details of what had happened because it was ‘a police matter’, but formal support services would be made available.
‘Once the situation is under control, we will have that coming,’ he said.
