Lake Cargelligo residents live in fear as Julian Ingram clocks up three weeks on the run
Larn Masterson is the CEO of not-for-profit organisation, Down the Track, which supports Indigenous youth and their families in Lake Cargelligo in NSW.
In short:
Julian Ingram remains at large, three weeks after he is accused of shooting three people including his pregnant former partner, in Lake Cargelligo in the NSW Central West.
Community members have described the immense hurt that remains, as well as the ongoing fear that exists with the fugitive still on the run.
What's next:
NSW Police say finding Julian Ingram remains a priority with specialist support teams continuing to search in the Lake Cargelligo area.
Larn Masterson's voice falters as she describes the impact the murders of three Lake Cargelligo residents and an unborn child have had on her NSW Central West community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the names of Indigenous people who have died, used with the permission of their families.
"Grief is apparent everywhere you look," she said.
"There is so much hurt in the community."
On January 22, Julian Ingram allegedly shot dead his former partner, 25-year-old Sophie Quinn, who was seven months pregnant, her cousin, 32-year-old John Harris and Ms Quinn's aunt, 50-year-old Nerida Quinn.
Sophie Quinn, John Harris and Nerida Quinn were killed during the shooting spree in Lake Cargelligo. (Supplied)
Mr Ingram is also accused of firing at 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen, who survived the shooting spree but was seriously injured.
The 37-year-old remains at large three weeks on, despite an aerial and ground search involving hundreds of NSW Police officers, the Australian Defence Force and volunteers.
Ms Masterson is the chief executive of not-for-profit organisation Down the Track, which supports Indigenous youth and their families in Lake Cargelligo.
Since the deaths, her organisation has provided meals, emergency accommodation, and support to community members and to visiting friends and family.
"Everyone is struggling," she said.
"This fear and exhaustion are just bubbling beneath the surface.
"Some people don't want to leave their house. Of a night, the streets are silent. There's no music playing. You can't hear people talking."
It's a scary thought to know we've gone from six police officers in our town to over 100, and they still can't find him."
Ms Masterson said the centre has become a sanctuary amidst the community's sense of safety being shattered.
"The kindness that's come out of this kind of event has really blown me away.
"I'm proud to be a part of the community. We're strong, we're connected."
There has been just one reported sighting of fugitive Julian Ingram, since he is alleged to have shot three people at Lake Cargelligo on January 22, 2026. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Search timeline
Thursday, January 22:Julian Ingram is captured on CCTV attending the Lake Cargelligo police station.
At 4:20pm, emergency services are called to Bokhara Street, where 25-year-old Sophie Quinn, a former partner of Mr Ingram, is found shot dead in a car, along with her friend, 32-year-old John Harris.
Soon after, in Walker Street, Ms Quinn's aunt, 50-year-old Nerida Quinn, is also fatally shot, and 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen is seriously injured.
Mr Ingram was last sighted leaving Lake Cargelligo, in a Ford single-cab utility with Lachlan Shire Council markings.
Sunday, January 25:
Police confirm a possible sighting of Mr Ingram at Mount Hope, an isolated community north-west of Lake Cargelligo.
Tuesday, January 27:
Police release new images of the ute Mr Ingram was last seen driving.
Monday, February 2, 2026:
Police declare a critical incident investigation to probe their own actions in the lead up to and the investigation of the shooting.
Court documents show Mr Ingram was granted bail on November 30, 2025, for domestic violence charges relating to Ms Quinn.
Finding Julian Ingram police priority
NSW Police said in a statement that the search at Lake Cargelligo and surrounding areas continues for Mr Ingram.
"Specialist police teams from State Crime Command, Homicide, Tactical Operations Unit, Tactical Operations Regional Support, Negotiation Unit, Rescue and Bomb Disposal, including search co-ordination and drone pilots, Rural Crime investigators, and investigators from Central West Police District, remain in place conducting task-focused searches."
There has been limited information released by police about the ongoing search for Mr Ingram in the last week and a half.
Stephanie Robertson, CEO of Lifeline in the NSW Central West, said she understood why but conceded it had made residents anxious.
"It is an active police investigation, and of course, they have to be really careful," she said.
"They're certainly not being inactive. In some regards, we've got to trust the system."
The ABC can confirm on Thursday that officers searched a home at Eubalong West, north of Lake Cargelligo and near where Mr Ingram grew up.
Police officers search a vehicle at Euabalong West as part of their search for fugitive Julian Ingram. (ABC News: Xanthe Gregory )
Officers spent several hours collecting clothes and items from numerous cars.
They then moved to a rural location near the village, where officers used a drone to search bushland.
NSW Police said locating the fugitive remains a priority.
The isolated Mount Hope area has been a focus of the search. (ABC News: Hamish Cole )
'Years to heal'
Ms Masterson said the victims of the shooting had strong ties to Lake Cargelligo.
"Sophie was one of the most beautiful people you'll ever meet. She was getting her life together, preparing to have a beautiful little boy that she was so excited about.
"John John (sic) was just a kind, kind man. He was an amazing youth worker.
"Nerida ... she would volunteer at the drop of a hat. She was there for her family."
Floral tributes were left near where Sophie Quinn and John Harris were shot. (ABC Westren Plains: Lily Plass)
Ms Masterson said while there was ample mental health support for the community now, in the aftermath of the tragedy, she feared for the future.
"This isn't just going to heal in three to six months, this is going to take years to heal from," she said.
"Long-term, we need these services to be here for us, and we need regular faces to build trust."
Multiple crime scenes were established around Lake Cargelligo in the wake of the shootings. (ABC News)
It is a sentiment Lifeline Central West has endorsed, emphasising the importance of working with services already established in the community.
"It's one of the things we see time and time again, when that support is withdrawn too quickly," Ms Roberston said.
"What we don't want to do is lose that sense of connection with people, because we know that's incredibly important."