Lake Cargelligo is reeling after police identified Hoolio Ingram, also known as Julian Peirpoint, as the suspect in a horrifying shooting that left three people dead and another man fighting for his life. The violence unfolded Thursday afternoon and shattered the quiet rhythm of the small New South Wales town.
Emergency crews rushed to Walker Street near Yelkin Street around 4:40 p.m. after frantic reports that a man had opened fire. When officers arrived, they found a scene that first responders described as confronting and deeply distressing. Three people were pronounced dead at the scene, including two women and one man.
Police later confirmed that one of the women killed was pregnant, a detail that has intensified the grief and anger rippling through the community. A fourth victim, a man, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Authorities say he remains in stable condition as doctors continue to monitor him closely.
New South Wales Police quickly locked down the area and declared a major crime scene. Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed investigators have identified a suspect and launched an intensive manhunt that now stretches across the wider region. Officers are working around the clock, following multiple lines of inquiry.
According to police, the gunman fled the scene in a council-owned vehicle shortly after the shooting. Investigators also revealed there was an active Apprehended Violence Order in place against Ingram at the time. He is reported to be an employee of the Lachlan Shire Council, a detail now under close scrutiny as the investigation deepens.
As a safety measure, authorities placed Lake Cargelligo under lockdown. Residents were told to stay inside, and drivers were warned to avoid the town and surrounding roads. Police checkpoints and road closures remain in place as the search continues, with emergency services maintaining a strong presence on the ground.
The emotional toll has been heavy. Local businesses have shut their doors or warned of service disruptions due to restricted access. Messages of sympathy and shock have flooded social media, as neighbors struggle to process how such violence could strike so close to home.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen the suspect or has information that could help locate him to contact Crime Stoppers immediately. The situation remains fluid, and authorities say further updates will be released as soon as confirmed information becomes available.
