Residents of a small town in New South Wales are grappling with shock and disbelief following the tragic shooting deaths of three individuals, with the suspect still unaccounted for.
The local police are actively searching for Julian Ingram, a 37-year-old man believed to be the perpetrator of this horrific incident, which resulted in the deaths of a 32-year-old man and two women, aged 25 and 50, in Lake Cargelligo last Thursday. A 19-year-old male victim who was also shot is currently hospitalized, fighting for his life in serious but stable condition.
One neighbor, who requested anonymity, recounted hearing what sounded like multiple gunshots before discovering the victims inside a vehicle parked on Bokhara Street. "I think I heard five or maybe four loud pops; it sounded almost like a bucket had fallen on my front porch," he said. After going outside to investigate, he quickly encountered chaos—people screaming for an ambulance. Initially, he thought it might just be a case of someone having too much to drink or perhaps suffering from a medical emergency while driving, as many cars began to appear at the scene.
He expressed his disbelief about the violence, saying, "I didn’t quite know how to process it. This is a quiet place, little Lake Cargelligo, where nothing like this ever happens." The neighbor acknowledged that the victims were familiar faces in the tight-knit community. "In Lake Cargelligo, you know everyone; it's hard not to."
Another resident, who also chose to remain unnamed, shared her initial confusion about the nature of the sounds she heard. "While we were relaxed at home, four gunshots rang out, and they were incredibly loud. In retrospect, I realize they were gunshots, but at that moment, I just didn’t connect the dots," she explained. Despite hearing the chaos unfold outside, she stayed put until the sounds of sirens prompted her curiosity. As she ventured out, she witnessed CPR being performed on one of the victims, leaving her paralyzed with shock. "I just froze, unsure of what to do. A neighbor approached me, informed me about the situation, and I offered my condolences and comforted her with a hug."
The mayor of Lachlan Shire Council, John Medcalf, remarked on the profound impact this tragedy would have on the community of around 1,500 residents. "This is a close-knit community, and the repercussions of these events will be felt for a long time to come. Anyone with information should certainly contact emergency services and assist the police in any way possible," he urged. He also indicated that once the immediate crisis and search for the suspect concluded, there would be a focus on providing mental health resources to the community.
As the search for Ingram continues, Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland of the Western Region Command confirmed that Ingram does not possess a firearms license in New South Wales. Part of the ongoing investigation will include uncovering how he gained access to weapons. Furthermore, he noted that the council vehicle Ingram was operating lacks GPS tracking. Holland did not dismiss the possibility that Ingram might have access to additional vehicles. The areas being searched are subject to change as new information becomes available.
The 19-year-old victim, identified as Kaleb MacQueen, has been successfully interviewed by detectives from the Queanbeyan Police, according to Assistant Commissioner Holland. The ABC has confirmed that the suspected shooter is employed as a gardener for the council, specifically as a weeds officer. He is described as standing between 165 and 170 cm tall, having a medium build, short dark hair, and brown eyes. His last known vehicle is a Ford Ranger utility truck registered under DM-07-GZ, marked with council insignia and equipped with high-visibility features as well as an emergency light bar on its roof.
Residents are encouraged to come forward with any relevant mobile phone footage, dashcam recordings, CCTV visuals, photographs, or other materials that might assist law enforcement in their investigation.
