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

The riot squad will this weekend join the hunt for alleged triple killer Julian Ingram, who has been on the run for a week, as police warn residents to exercise caution, saying “there is a gunman on the loose”.

The 37-year-old has evaded capture for a week in regional New South Wales, as residents in the isolated Central West communities remain on edge.

Ingram – who was on bail for domestic violence offences – 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 last Thursday.

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 spoke to the media at Lake Cargelligo on Thursday.

Police also released CCTV footage of Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, attending the Lake Cargelligo police station last Thursday before the alleged murders. It is understood that he was required to report to police daily as a condition of his bail.

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

“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 is confident Ingram is “still alive”.

“I believe he is still alive, yes, and again, our plan is to track him down and bring him before the courts,” he said.

“The experience he has as a local ... He’s worked for the council. He’s worked in those areas out towards Mount Hope and that area.

“He’s aware of where the water sources are. He’s aware where the hidey holes are, such as caves. We have to systematically work through these locations … before we can move to the next location.”

Assistant Commissioner Holland said Ingram was “possibly receiving help from people”.

“Given the temperatures involved, you know, he has to have access to food and water,” he said.

“If he’s in an area at a certain time, he’s only got a certain amount of food and water. So are people supplying that? We don’t know, but that has yet to be confirmed.”

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

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

“It’s a 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.

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

Assistant Commissioner Holland said police were confident Ingram remained in the area, despite the time lapse.

“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 remain involved in the search operation which spans tens of thousands of hectares of open bushland.

Additional specialist officers, including members of the Public Order and Riot Squad, will join the search this weekend ahead of planned community events.

“The riot squad are obviously specialists in providing search and capability, and that’s why they’re brought in to assist,” Assistant Commissioner Holland said.

“The riot squad has long arms capability.

“Our tactical officers also have long arm capability as well.”

Police have released images of a Ford Ranger utility Ingram was last week driving. 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.

“If he’s out and about and he’s moving around, I would suggest that he’s using a vehicle,” Assistant Commissioner Holland said.

“He’d be mad if he was still using his original ute but if he’s got other vehicles involved, we want to make sure that we are investigating any lead that we have.”

Extreme heat has complicated 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.

Assistant Commissioner Holland said police will continue searching “indefinitely” until they find Ingram.

“All members of the community, and especially in the Mount Hope area as well, should exercise extreme caution,” he said.

“They need to be aware that there is a gunman on the loose in their area.

“They just need to exercise caution. Go about their daily business as normal, but be mindful of the fact that there is a person in this community that could cause a threat.

“Again, we ask them not to approach this person. If he’s seen, contact triple-zero, advise of the location and we will get the police to their location as soon as possible.”

Commissioner Lanyon again warned against anyone assisting the alleged 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.