A $250,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of an aboriginal fugitive who is accused of killing three people and an unborn child in the remote town of Lake Cargelligo, NSW, earlier this year.
Julian Ingram, 37, also known as Julian Pierpoint and nicknamed “Hoolio”, has been on the run since allegedly shooting dead his heavily pregnant ex Sophie Isabelle Quinn, 24, her new boyfriend John Harris, 32, and her aunt Nerida Quinn, 50, on January 22. Another man, Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was also allegedly shot but survived.
A warrant for Ingram’s arrest for murder was issued and a massive manhunt launched after the killings concentrating on the area surrounding the small town in the state’s central west, but hundreds of heavily armed police were unable to track down the fugitive, who locals said was an experienced bushman capable of surviving long periods in harsh terrain.
NSW Police described Ingram as being of aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165cm-170cm tall, of medium build with short dark hair and brown eyes, and have released several images of his white Ford Ranger Lachlan Shire Council ute captured moments after the alleged shooting.
The NSW Government announced the reward on Tuesday, and Police Minister Yasmin Catley said it was intended to help deliver justice for the victims and their families.
“This was a shocking and brutal act of violence that has left families grieving and a community deeply shaken,” she said.
“The NSW Police Force will not stop working to locate Julian Ingram, and this $250,000 reward is about encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
“If you know anything about his whereabouts, now is the time to speak up. Even the smallest piece of information could help police find him and ensure those responsible for this horrific crime face justice.”
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland, Western Region Commander, said police believe Ingram is alive and being assisted by members of the public.
“Seven weeks in the arid country, and the arid land that he is [in], he would have to have support,” he said.
“He hasn’t accessed any of his mobile phones, any banking records in that time, so we believe, if he is alive, he’s getting support.”
Mr Holland provided regular updates to the public during the manhunt, and at one point spoke out to shut down rumours that Ingram was a fake aboriginal after some locals claimed he was White and “just claimed to be” indigenous.
The Assistant Commissioner said Ingram had always identified himself to police as aboriginal, and his heritage had been confirmed by the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
Ingram, who never held a gun licence, is familiar with vast swathes of the outback due to his work as a brush cutter, and locals said police would struggle to find him in 40C+ heat, which also hampered the use of thermal imaging equipment.
A man describing himself as Ingram’s “good friend” defended him on Facebook after the shootings, writing “I’m sure Hoolio has his reasons”, and describing him as loyal, a hard worker, and good father.
Header image: Left, Julian Ingram (NSW Police). Right, Sophie Quinn (Facebook).
The post Reward of $250K offered for aboriginal fugitive wanted over quadruple killing first appeared on The Noticer.
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