‘Stay inside’: Town locked down after triple fatal shooting as hunt for killer continues

7.30 AM FRIDAY, January 23 | POLICE have confirmed the Defence Force was used to help airlift specialist police resources into Lake Cargelligo overnight, including heavily-armed tactical officers, as the search for the alleged gunman wanted over Thursday’s shootings continues.

In an update on Friday morning, NSW Police confirmed a 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were shot and killed while sitting in a car on Bokhara Street about 4.30pm on Thursday.

A second woman, aged 50, and a 19-year-old man were gunned down in the driveaway of a house on Walker Street a short time later.

The woman could not be saved and died at the scene while the man was critically wounded and rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Crime scenes have been established at both locations and Strike Force Doberta has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Overnight, a number of specialist police personal have been flown in by PolAir and the Defence Force, including Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), Negotiators, and Homicide investigators,” NSW Police said.

“Those officers have joined the large-scale search for the man who remains outstanding.”

Police have released a photo of the alleged gunman, identified as 37-year-old Julian Ingram, also known as ‘Pierpoint’, as the search for the accused killer continues.

Julian Ingram, also known as Pierpoint, 37, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder | Photo: NSW Police

Ingram is described by police as being Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165cm-170cm tall, of a medium build with short dark hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ described as having council signage, a metal tray back, high visibility markings on the side and an emergency light bar on the roof.

Anyone who sees him is urged not to approach and contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with information in relation to his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Additionally, police are appealing for anyone in the Lake Cargelligo area who may have mobile phone or dashcam vision, CCTV, photos, screenshots, or other material relevant to this incident to upload it via the NSW Police website here.

6:20 AM FRIDAY, January 23 | POLICE have released an image of the alleged gunman wanted over the Lake Cargelligo shootings, as the search for the accused killer continues.

Julian Ingram, also known as Pierpoint, 37, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder, after three people including two women were shot and killed in the central west NSW town on Thursday afternoon. A fourth person was critically wounded.

In a statement early Friday morning, NSW Police said Ingram was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ, described as having council signage, a metal tray back, high-visibility markings on the side, and an emergency light bar on the roof.

Julian Ingram, also known as Pierpoint, 37, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder | Photo: NSW Police

The 37-year-old is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165–170cm tall, of medium build, with short dark hair and brown eyes.

Police have urged members of the public not to approach him if they see him, and to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with information about Ingram’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The town of Lake Cargelligo remains sealed off this morning, as the search for the alleged shooter continues.

Multiple crime scenes have been established and there is a significant police presence on the ground, including specialist tactical resources brought in to assist with the ongoing search.

An army helicopter was tracked flying into the area on Thursday night as part of the expanded response.

Police say more information will be released as details are confirmed.

5:00 AM FRIDAY, January 23 | PEOPLE in the central west NSW town of Lake Cargelligo have been urged to remain indoors this morning, as police continue the search for a suspect following a deadly shooting that claimed three lives.

Three local residents were shot dead and a fourth critically wounded on Thursday afternoon in an incident that has sent shockwaves through the small rural community.

Addressing the media, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said officers were first called to reports of shots being fired into a vehicle about 4.20pm.

“Upon arrival, they located a male and female deceased in the vehicle,” he said. “A short time later, a second report of shots fired was made.”

A man and woman were later found with gunshot wounds at a second scene on Walker Street, near Yelkin Street.

The woman died at the scene, while the man was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

While early reports suggested the incident may be domestic violence-related, police have declined to comment on any relationship between the victims and the alleged shooter, other than to confirm all were local to the area.

Assistant Commissioner Holland said the suspect is believed to have fled in a vehicle and remains at large.

“At this stage police have identified an offender, who is still at large. We have a large search in the area underway and are requesting people remain indoors for their own safety.”

Police have established a perimeter around the town and are turning traffic away from the area.

Photo: Live Traffic NSW

Geo-targeted emergency text alerts were sent to Lake Cargelligo residents shortly after the shooting, urging locals to stay inside and advising the public to avoid the area.

The town, located about 130km north of Griffith, had a population of 1,430 at the 2021 Census.

As the lockdown continued, locals took to social media to describe the atmosphere.

“Everyone is really scared. Every shop and pub is shut, it’s crazy,” one resident wrote.

Multiple crime scenes have been established in Lake Cargelligo, with a significant police presence on the ground, including specialist tactical resources brought in to assist with the ongoing search.

An army helicopter was tracked flying into the area on Thursday night as part of the expanded response.

Assistant Commissioner Holland said his thoughts were with the community and the first responders who attended the confronting scenes.

“It’s a tragedy that has taken place in a very small town that will have a big effect on the community,” he said.

“The scene faced by emergency services would have been horrendous. I worry about their safety and I’m sure they will be looked after.”

As the police operation continues and investigations commence, police are appealing for anyone in the area who may have mobile phone or dashcam vision, CCTV, photos, screenshots or other material relevant to the incident to upload it via the NSW Police website here.

This is a developing story. Updates will be published as more information becomes available.

THURSDAY 6.30 PM | THREE people have been killed and a fourth person wounded in a shooting at Lake Cargelligo, police have confirmed.

In a statement at 6.20pm, a NSW Police spokesperson said emergency services were called to reports of a shooting in Walker Street, near Yelkin Street, about 4.40pm on Thursday, January 22.

“Three people – two women and a man – have died,” the spokesperson said.

“Another man has been taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.”

Town locked down over gunman after ‘3 shot dead’ as police warn ‘stay inside’https://t.co/7oKQkOK0d1 pic.twitter.com/v659Pw7uUm

— Daily Star (@dailystar) January 22, 2026

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, although early reports suggest the incident may be domestic violence-related.

The town has been locked down with a major police operation ongoing in the area.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area and are pleading with local residents to stay inside.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation has commenced.

⚠️ Important

NSW Police have confirmed three people, two women and a man, have died in Lake Cargelligo in New South Wales after it was reported a gunman opened fire. https://t.co/i1DGdOPodO pic.twitter.com/8KmC7ahqjN

— Open News© (@OpenNewNews) January 22, 2026

This is a developing story. No further official information has been released at this stage.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.

• If you or someone you know has experienced domestic, family and sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
• In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).

EARLIER 6:10 PM | MULTIPLE people have reportedly been shot in the small Central West NSW town of Lake Cargelligo, around 130 kilometres north of Griffith, with early reports indicating fatalities.

Initial information from the scene suggests at least three people have been shot, with two victims believed to have died.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties.

The town, home to around 1400 people, has been locked down with a police operation ongoing in the area.

NSW Police are still believed to be searching for the alleged gunman, who is reported to be in the town and armed with a long-arm firearm.

Additional police resources, including heavily armed tactical officers from neighbouring policing districts, have been deployed to assist with the operation.

Residents have been urged to remain indoors and avoid the area while the police response continues.

#BREAKING: There is a police operation underway at Lake Cargelligo in the state’s Central West.

There are reports of a shooting, with the gunman still on the run.

More to come. pic.twitter.com/6pwQYEULNK

— 10 News Sydney (@10NewsSyd) January 22, 2026

This is a developing situation. No further official information has been released at this stage.

More updates will be published as they become available.