Warning: This story contains the names and images of Indigenous people who have died.
Police will offer a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of accused triple murderer Julian Ingram as the search for the 37-year-old nears seven weeks.
Ingram has been on the run since January 22, when he allegedly shot dead his heavily pregnant former partner Sophie Quinn, 25, her friend John Harris, 32, and her aunt Nerida Quinn, 50, in the NSW Central West town of Lake Cargelligo. Ingram is also alleged to have shot 20-year-old Kaleb Macqueen who was seriously injured but survived the attack.
Large-scale searching of Lake Cargelligo and surrounds have failed to locate Ingram – also known as Julian Pierpoint – who was last seen leaving town shortly after the shootings. He was seen heading north towards Euabalong, a nearby town of about 80 people where he was raised and had lived until about a decade ago, according to locals there. Police are investigating whether he is being helped to evade authorities.
Several sightings of Ingram were reported in the days after the shootings, including at Mount Hope, an isolated township about an hour from Lake Cargelligo. Current search efforts remain focused on Lake Cargelligo and surrounding areas.
“A NSW government reward for $250,000 has been announced for information that may assist investigators with their efforts,” police said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
Police granted Ingram bail on domestic violence charges last November after he allegedly assaulted Quinn around the time the pair had separated. Ingram was charged with stalking or intimidating intending to cause fear or physical harm, and common assault.
Ingram had pleaded not guilty to the charges. He had not breached the apprehended domestic violence order in place to protect Sophie Quinn before the shootings, police said, and was granted bail in November after not having committed a violent crime for several years.
Interactions between local police and how Ingram, who has never held a gun licence in NSW, was able to access the firearm allegedly used in the shootings are the subject of an ongoing critical incident investigation being overseen by the state’s policing watchdog.
Ingram is regarded as an expert bushman capable of surviving in isolated scrub with limited resources having spent several years working as a brush cutter in the Central West. He has not used his phone or accessed his bank accounts since the shootings.
There have been no confirmed sightings of Ingram since he was reportedly seen near Mount Hope on January 25. Several unconfirmed sightings have been reported to police.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732.
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