A major police operation is under way in the Central West of New South Wales after three people were shot dead in Lake Cargelligo with a fourth man taken to hospital and the alleged gunman still at large.
Police said the violence unfolded across multiple locations on Thursday afternoon. Officers first responded to reports of shots fired into a vehicle where a man and a woman were found dead at the scene.
A short time later, police were called to Walker Street where another man and woman were found with gunshot wounds. The woman later died while the man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said police had identified an offender and were working to locate him.
Residents were told to stay indoors as officers expanded the search and lifted the police presence across the town. Police also sent a geotargeted emergency text message covering the area and warn people to avoid the streets while the operation continued.
The public was asked to help investigators build a clearer picture of the suspect’s movements with NSW Police appealing for dashcam footage, mobile phone video, CCTV and other material from around Lake Cargelligo.
Police urged anyone with information to contact local officers or Crime Stoppers.
The tragedy has jolted a tight knit community with official figures putting Lake Cargelligo’s population at about 1,430 people.
Roy Butler, the state MP for the area, predicted that the news would be felt far beyond the town. Butler stated that one of the victims was a pregnant woman in remarks made on social media and subsequently reiterated in media reports, adding that the situation was still being investigated.
Police have not publicly detailed the suspected offender’s relationship to the victims or what prompted the attack.
Holland described the scenes confronted by first responders as horrendous and said additional resources were being deployed to maintain community safety while the hunt continued including the possible use of public order officers and specialist detectives.
NSW Police said an investigation had begun and more information would be released as it became available.
