A chilling report has emerged from the NSW central west, where a suspected triple murderer, Julian Ingram, has been spotted. This unconfirmed sighting has sent shockwaves through the region, igniting a massive police operation.
But here's where it gets controversial: the sighting was made in Mount Hope, a vast area with properties spanning over 400,000 hectares - that's bigger than metropolitan Sydney!
Ingram, 37, known as Julian Pierpoint, is accused of a brutal shooting spree in Lake Cargelligo, where he allegedly killed his pregnant ex-partner, her new boyfriend, and her aunt. He then fled the town, leaving a trail of tragedy.
The reported sighting is the first since the shooting, and it has tactical police with air support scrambling to search the region. Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland revealed that Ingram, a brushcutter, knows of camps in the area with food supplies. However, the sighting was not in that specific part of Mount Hope.
Holland declined to comment on whether Ingram was seen on foot or in a vehicle. He emphasized that while it's a possible sighting, there's no confirmation yet.
"It's an area he's familiar with, and he knows it well," Holland said. "We think he's alone, but we can't rule out local assistance."
The victims include Sophie Quinn, 25, who was pregnant, and her partner John Harris, shot in a car on Bokhara Street. Nerida Quinn, 50, Sophie's aunt, and Kaleb Macqueen, 19, were found shot in a driveway on Walker Street. Nerida died at the scene, while Kaleb remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
At the time of the shootings, Ingram was on bail for domestic violence allegations made by Sophie Quinn. Police have clarified that he was last seen driving a white single-cab Ford Ranger.
The last confirmed sighting of Ingram was on Thursday, as he drove north from Lake Cargelligo towards Mount Hope. It's unclear if he's been moving at night, given the extreme heat forecast for the area, but Holland said it's a possibility.
Police are still confirming the firearms Ingram possesses and how he obtained them. It's known that he has never held a NSW firearms license.
Holland assured that no threats have been reported from Ingram towards others, but he warned against believing social media posts.
"Some of the information on social media is just not accurate," he said. "We need facts, and if you have them, please contact the police."
This case has left the community shaken, and as the search continues, the question remains: where is Julian Ingram, and what will be his next move?
