On Thursday, January 22, 2026, a devastating shooting incident in Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales, resulted in three fatalities—including a pregnant woman—and left a fourth person seriously injured, prompting one of the largest manhunts in the region’s recent history. The NSW Police Force have identified 37-year-old Julian “Hoolio” Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, as the primary suspect in what authorities describe as a “domestic violence-related” attack.
The tragedy unfolded in the small central-west town of Lake Cargelligo, with emergency services first responding to reports of shots fired on Bokhara Street at around 4:20 pm. Officers found a 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man with fatal gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. Minutes later, police were called to a second incident on Walker Street, where a 50-year-old woman was found dead and a 19-year-old man was seriously injured and transported to hospital.
Among the deceased was Sophie Quinn, a 25-year-old woman who was around seven months pregnant at the time of her death; her unborn child also perished in the attack. Other victims included Nerida Quinn, 50, and John Harris, 32. The surviving victim, Kaleb Macqueen, 19, remains in a serious but stable condition.
Shortly after the shootings, police established that the suspect was Julian Ingram, believed to be armed and dangerous and actively evading capture. Ingram is described as being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165–170 cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair, and brown eyes. He is believed to be travelling in a Ford Ranger utility vehicle with NSW registration DM-07-GZ, featuring council signage, high-visibility markings, and an emergency light bar on the roof.
A comprehensive police response has since been mobilised, involving over 100 officers from specialist units including tactical operations, negotiators, and homicide investigators. Police have also utilised aerial resources, including helicopters, and assistance from the Australian Defence Force to comb the region. Residents were initially urged to stay indoors for their safety as authorities widened the search perimeter.
Public safety warnings have been issued repeatedly by NSW Police, advising anyone who spots Ingram not to approach him but to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately with any information. Authorities have also asked members of the public with relevant CCTV, dashcam footage, or other evidence to come forward to aid the investigation.
The incident has deeply shocked the Lake Cargelligo community, a tight-knit rural town of roughly 1,400 residents, and sparked ongoing concerns about domestic violence and firearm access. The search for Ingram remains active, with police committed to locating the suspect and bringing those responsible to justice.