Three Dead in NSW Country Town Shooting

Darwin, 22 January: Three people have been killed and a fourth has been critically injured following a shooting in the small country town of Lake Cargelligo in New South Wales’ Central West, prompting a major police manhunt for a suspect believed to be armed and on the move.

Police were called to reports of shots fired into a vehicle on Bokhara Street at about 4.20pm on Thursday, where officers discovered the bodies of a man and a woman.

A short time later, police located another man and woman with gunshot wounds on nearby Walker Street. The woman died at the scene, while the man was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland said.

All victims are believed to be local residents, though they are yet to be formally identified. Police have declined to comment on any relationship between the victims and the suspect.

“At this stage police have identified an offender who is still at large,” Assistant Commissioner Holland said.
“We have a large search operation underway and are asking people to remain indoors.”

Police believe the suspect is carrying a firearm and fled the area in a vehicle. No details about the vehicle have been released.

“The offender is mobile, which is why we’re asking people to stay inside their homes for their own safety,” Holland said.

Residents have been urged to report any suspicious activity to police immediately, including unusual movements, unfamiliar vehicles, or activity around their properties.

Police numbers in the area are continuing to increase, with specialist units, tactical operations, and PolAir assisting in the search.

“Any death in a small country town is confronting, but a shooting involving firearms understandably causes significant fear and concern within the community,” Holland said.

“The scene faced by emergency services would have been horrendous.”
Local residents expressed shock and grief on social media following emergency alerts, with many offering condolences to the families affected.

NSW MP for Barwon, Roy Butler, urged residents to remain indoors in a social media post, describing the incident as “tragic” and saying the situation remained ongoing.

Lake Cargelligo, located about three hours south-west of Dubbo, has a population of around 1,500 and is best known for its watersports and recreational lake activities.