Julian Ingram: Police confident alleged triple killer ‘still alive’ after a week on the run

The riot squad has joined the hunt for alleged triple killer Julian Ingram, who has been on the run for a week, as fear and tension continue to grip communities in the search zone.

The 37-year-old has evaded capture for almost a week in regional New South Wales, as fear continues to ripple through isolated Central West communities.

Ingram is wanted over the deaths of three people in Lake Cargelligo, including his pregnant former partner Sophie Quinn, 25.

Ms Quinn and her friend John Harris, 32, were found dead inside a car on Bokhara Street after police were called to reports of gunfire about 4.30pm.

A short time later, Ms Quinn’s aunt, Nerida Quinn, 50, was discovered with fatal gunshot wounds at a nearby Walker Street address.

A fourth victim, 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen, was also shot but survived.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland were at Lake Cargelligo on Thursday.

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said the search for Ingram was continuing across districts around Lake Cargelligo and Mount Hope.

“Currently operations police are working with our rural crime investigators to clear a number of properties,” he said.

“We’re systematically going through the information provided by the public.”

Assistant Commissioner Holland said he believes Ingram is “still alive”.

“Yes, and again, our plan is to track him down and bring him before the courts,” he said.

The manhunt has widened significantly since the weekend after reports the fugitive was sighted near Mount Hope, about 90 kilometres from Lake Cargelligo.

“We have one confirmed reported sighting at Mount Hope,” Assistant Commissioner Holland said.

“It’s reported sighting at this point. And as I said, we’ve spoken to witnesses. From what they tell us at this point, we believe it may have been him, but again, it’s yet to be confirmed officially, but we’re in that area.

“Other than that, all matters that have been reported to police have yet to be investigated and yet to be confirmed.”

Holland said police were confident Ingram remained in the area, despite the time lapse and scale of the terrain.

“Looking at the size and expanse of the area, that’s the reason we haven’t found the utility,” he said.

“It’s not hard to put a utility into a shed or into an area of forest which is covered by brush.

“We are confident he is in the area. The information that is forthcoming from the locals, it’s been passed through our rural crime investigators.

“We are using electronic methods now to obviously track certain locations and will obviously benefit from any information the public is able to provide.”

More than 100 officers are now involved in an operation covering tens of thousands of hectares of open bushland.

Additional specialist officers, including members of the Public Order and Riot Squad, have been deployed to assist with searches.

Assistant Commissioner Holland has previously said Ingram is deeply familiar with the region, having lived there for many years and maintained local connections — factors police believe may have helped him avoid detection.

Commissioner Mal Lanyon described the alleged shootings as “a terrible tragedy that should not occur” while addressing the community on Thursday.

“Domestic and family violence remains a scourge on our community,” Commissioner Lanyon said.

“New South Wales police attend over 160,000 calls for service for domestic and family violence each year.”

He said more than 32,000 people were charged with domestic and family violence assaults in the past year.

“It is simply unacceptable,” he said.

“To the community of Lake Cargelligo who are suffering at the moment, for those that are grieving, those that have been impacted, we say we are with you. Our sympathies are with the community.

“My commitment to you as the commissioner and as the New South Wales Police is that we will be here to keep you safe. I want to make sure that not only are you safe, but you feel safe.

“So you will continue to see a significant policing presence until such time as we put Mr Ingram before the court.”

Authorities have released images of a Ford Ranger utility believed to be linked to Ingram. The dual-cab vehicle has NSW registration DM-07-GZ and may carry a Lachlan Shire Council magnet on the driver’s door, an orange light bar on the roof and tools in the tray.

Communities across the Central West remain on high alert as extreme heat complicates the search, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees over several consecutive days. Police have deployed drones and specialist resources to scan vast areas without placing officers at unnecessary risk.

Lachlan Shire mayor John Medcalf said anxiety remained high in the town of about 1000 people.

“People are nervous while this continues,” he said. “It’s not something we’re used to.”

Commissioner Lanyon again warned against anyone assisting the fugitive.

“What he has committed here is an atrocity,” he said.

“For those that are thinking of assisting him, think again.

“You may be charged. You will be charged.”

Police are urging anyone who sees Ingram or the Ford Ranger not to approach and to contact triple-zero immediately. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.