Warning: This story contains names and images of Indigenous people who have died.
Interactions between authorities and alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram and how the 37-year-old was able to access firearms while facing serious domestic violence charges will be subject to a critical incident investigation overseen by the state’s policing watchdog.
Ingram is accused of shooting dead his heavily pregnant former partner, Sophie Quinn, 24, her friend John Harris, 32, her aunt Nerida Quinn, 50, and shooting and seriously injuring 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen in the NSW Central West town of Lake Cargelligo on January 22.
Ingram was last seen leaving Lake Cargelligo shortly after the shootings.
Police had granted Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, bail on domestic violence charges last November after he allegedly assaulted Sophie 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. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was due to face Lake Cargelligo Local Court on February 3.
The investigation will examine Ingram and Sophie Quinn’s ongoing relationship in the lead-up to the shooting, Ingram’s access to firearms, and how he accessed the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting, Holland said. Ingram’s history of alleged domestic violence history and previous access to weapons will also be examined.
Homicide squad detectives will lead the critical incident investigation, which will be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland on Monday said new information from members of the public had triggered the critical incident declaration.
“Police actions and investigations will be reviewed to ensure they complied with policy, procedure and legislation,” Holland said.
“Fresh information has come forward that’s given me reason to believe the matter needs to be further investigated.”
The Lake Cargelligo killings renewed debate about NSW’s bail laws and what protection is given to domestic violence victims.
In the days after the shooting, up to 100 police officers searched the area around Lake Cargelligo, including several properties at the remote township of Mount Hope after a reported sighting of Ingram.
Strike Force Doberta investigators believe Ingram may have visited a property bordering Kidman Way, about three kilometres south of Mount Hope, during the evening of January 24 and the early hours of January 25. On Saturday, police searched a waterway near Lake Cargelligo.
Holland said authorities believed Ingram was being helped to evade capture in “oppressive” searching conditions that were “very, very hard on the police involved”.
Specialist officers from a number of teams, including heavily armed members of the tactical operations unit, remain in and around Lake Cargelligo as the search for Ingram approaches the end of a second week.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732.
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