A man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, her unborn baby, and two other individuals had been granted bail for alleged stalking and assault charges just weeks before the fatal shooting spree. Julian Piperpoint-Ingram, aged 37, appeared at Lake Cargelligo Local Court, approximately 600 kilometres west of Sydney, on December 3rd.
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
He faced allegations of stalking, intimidating, and assaulting his ex-partner Sophie Quinn, who was 25 years old, alongside accusations of damaging her property. According to court records obtained by the Daily Mail, Piperpoint-Ingram entered a plea of not guilty to these charges.
Despite this, he was granted bail under specific conditions. These included a requirement to report daily to the Lake Cargelligo Police Station. Additionally, he was ordered to comply with an apprehended violence order that police had secured on behalf of Ms Quinn.
This order explicitly prohibited him from contacting her or approaching within a 100-metre radius of either her home or workplace. Records further revealed that Piperpoint-Ingram had a prior conviction for domestic violence, having pleaded guilty in 2021 to assaulting another woman in Griffith.
The Alleged Shooting Spree
Approximately seven weeks after his court appearance and subsequent bail extension, a tragic incident unfolded. Piperpoint-Ingram is alleged to have shot Sophie Quinn dead inside a black Suzuki Swift vehicle with green P-plates on Bokhara Street.
Her boyfriend, John Harris, aged 32, was also killed in the same vehicle. Ms Quinn, who was pregnant, was due to give birth to her son, Troy, in March. Following this, the alleged gunman reportedly proceeded to a nearby residence.
There, he is accused of shooting two more individuals. Sophie Quinn's aunt, Nerida Quinn, aged 50, was killed, while a 19-year-old man, Kaleb MacQueen, sustained serious injuries. Mr MacQueen was urgently transported to hospital and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Community Impact and Police Response
The shootings have profoundly shaken the small town of Lake Cargelligo, which has a population of around 1,430 residents. Western Region Command Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed that the incident is linked to a domestic violence relationship.
A large-scale manhunt has been launched to locate Piperpoint-Ingram, who is currently on the run from authorities. Specialist police personnel, including tactical operations units, negotiators, and homicide investigators, have been deployed to the area.
They are being supported by PolAir helicopters and Australian Defence Force assets. Commissioner Holland has urged the public to remain indoors and assist police by reporting any sightings or information.
Description of the Alleged Offender
Julian Piperpoint-Ingram is described as being between 165 and 170 centimetres tall, with a medium build, short dark hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen operating a Ford Ranger utility vehicle with New South Wales registration DM-07-GZ.
The vehicle is noted to have council signage, a metal tray back, high-visibility side markings, and an emergency light bar mounted on the roof. Authorities have warned that he may still be armed and considered dangerous.
Timeline of Events
The incident began on Thursday afternoon between 4:20 and 4:30 PM, when emergency services received multiple reports of shots fired on Bokhara Street. Police arrived to discover Sophie Quinn and John Harris deceased inside a vehicle from gunshot wounds.
Shortly thereafter, further shots were reported on nearby Walker Street, where Nerida Quinn and Kaleb MacQueen were found. By 5:00 PM, separate crime scenes were established, and a lockdown was initiated for Lake Cargelligo.
Throughout the night and into Friday morning, extensive search operations continued across the town and surrounding areas. The community remains in a state of shock and mourning following this devastating series of events.
