On 22 January 2026, police responded to reports of an alleged shooting at Lake Cargelligo, which resulted in the deaths of three people and an unborn child. It was a shock that reverberated through the close-knit outback community. Now, more than six weeks later, the 37-year-old remains at large after an alleged domestic violence-related shooting spree. The search for Julian Ingram has become a test of the region's willingness to break ranks.
Ingram allegedly fatally shot three people, including his pregnant former partner Sophie Quinn and her aunt Nerida Quinn, hours after he visited a police station. The detail lingers in police accounts with particular weight. CCTV showed the fugitive casually vaping outside a police station before the shootings. He was not arrested, despite attending the station. The sequence of events raises questions about what police knew, what they acted on, and what slipped through the gaps.
The NSW Government has now announced a $250,000 reward for any information that could lead to the capture of fugitive Julian Ingram. The reward represents both an acknowledgment of the investigation's difficulty and a direct appeal to community conscience. In February, Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Holland said he believed Ingram was receiving help from people. This assessment cuts to the heart of the matter. A man cannot survive weeks in an outback region without assistance. Someone knows where he is.
He previously warned the public that police would arrest and prosecute anyone helping the alleged murderer access food and water across the outback region. The warning carries weight, but it also reflects the reality that investigators face: the difficulty of distinguishing between active assistance and silence. In small communities, not talking can become a form of protection.
Ingram, a council worker, was last seen driving a Ford Ranger ute with an emergency light bar on the roof. Police previously said Ingram had access to a vehicle but were unsure if he abandoned his getaway ute. The uncertainty compounds the challenge. An earlier tip-off led investigators to focus on the areas surrounding the remote outpost of Mount Hope, a former mining town about 90km northwest of Lake Cargelligo. Two women claimed they came face-to-face with the alleged killer, saying he pointed a gun at them around Mount Hope.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos said police need urgent help from the community to ensure no stone is left unturned. "This is about bringing a resolution to the families and all those affected," he said. The reward offer is designed as an incentive; a prompt for those who might hesitate to come forward otherwise. Assistant Commissioner Holland said "To anyone who is aware of his whereabouts, let this reward be the prompt for you to break your silence and assist police."
Those with information can contact NSW Police directly or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any details. The investigation continues, and so does the search across the outback.