Police have defended their decision to grant bail to a man who allegedly murdered his pregnant ex-girlfriend and two others in New South Wales. Julian Ingram, 37, appeared in Lake Cargelligo Local Court in December on domestic violence charges, including assault, stalking, and property destruction, against Sophie Quinn, 25. He pleaded not guilty and was released with strict conditions, including not approaching her home or workplace.
On Thursday, just weeks after his release, Ingram allegedly shot Sophie and her new boyfriend John Harris, 32, in a car in Lake Cargelligo. He then allegedly killed Sophie's aunt Nerida Quinn, 50, and seriously injured 19-year-old Kaleb MacQueen at another residence. Ingram remains on the run, with about 100 officers searching for him.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland told reporters on Friday that a risk assessment at the time of bail deemed Ingram suitable for release because he had not committed a violent offence in the previous five years. However, court records show Ingram pleaded guilty to assaulting another woman in Griffith in 2021.
Holland confirmed the last sightings of Ingram were near Lake Cargelligo and that police are working to locate him as quickly as possible. He said the suspect fled in a council-owned car without GPS tracking. Local resident Letitia Bardawil described hearing four gunshots and seeing the aftermath, calling it 'the worst thing I've ever seen.'
