Family members of a pregnant woman and a man who were allegedly shot have asserted that the two were not romantically involved, contradicting initial reports.
Sophie Quinn, aged 25, and John Harris, 32, were reportedly fatally shot by 37-year-old Julian Ingram on Thursday afternoon on Bakhara Street in Lake Cargelligo, situated about 600 kilometers west of Sydney.
Following the incident, Ingram allegedly moved a few blocks over to Walker Street, where he is accused of shooting and killing Ms. Quinn’s 50-year-old aunt, Nerida, and injuring 19-year-old Kaleb MacQueen, who was visiting the residence.
While early reports suggested that Ms. Quinn and Mr. Harris were a couple, family members have clarified their relationship. Ms. Quinn’s brother and Mr. Harris’s uncle informed the Daily Mail that the two were actually “best friends.”
The family members described Mr. Harris as possibly being “in the wrong place at the wrong time” during the shooting but also mentioned that he did not get along with Ingram. “Sophie and John were really close. They were friends,” they stated.
‘(Sophie and John) were really close. They were friends,’ they said.
Daily Mail can reveal the two victims had grown up just doors from each other on the same street.
The revelation comes as Mr MacQueen broke his silence on the moment he watched Ingram allegedly shoot dead Nerida after a ute pulled up outside her house.
Sophie Quinn, 25 (pictured), and John Harris, 32, were allegedly shot dead by Julian Ingram, 37, on Bakhara Street in Lake Cargelligo, 600km west of Sydney, on Thursday afternoon
It was initially reported Ms Quinn and Mr Harris (pictured) were a couple
‘I heard boom boom. I saw her, she was holding her hand, he was laughing,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.
‘He gave her one good shot to the head and she was gone.
‘I seen him point the gun out the window and within seconds it was just too late – yeah it was just fight or flight, I just had to save myself.
‘Not that I could have done anything for Nerida anyway but I would have probably ended up dying if I went over to her as well, which is pretty sad.’
Ingram is still at large, believed to be heavily armed, and has been sighted in the Mt Hope region – 100km from Lake Cargelligo – but locals fear he may return.
Mr MacQueen has returned to his home from a Canberra hospital, and his mother said he is traumatised and is frightened whenever he hears a knock at the door.
Ms Quinn’s brother and Mr Harris’ uncle said the family had not planned funerals or official mourning for the Quinn women or Mr Harris because they were focused on the manhunt.
‘It’s too much effort with (Ingram) still on the run,’ Mr Harris’ uncle said, who declined to be named.
Ingram is still at large, believed to be heavily armed, and has been sighted in the Mt Hope region – 100km from Lake Cargelligo – but locals fear he may return
Ms Quinn’s brother and Mr Harris’ uncle have since spoken out and told Daily Mail the pair were actually ‘best friends’
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed on Monday morning the search for Ingram is continuing at Mt Hope
‘We don’t know what he’s going to do next. He could come back. We just want him caught before we do anything.’
Ms Quinn was heavily pregnant with a son she had already named Troy, and due within months, when she and Mr Harris were gunned down in her black Suzuki hatchback.
While the paternity of the child remains a mystery, rumours swirled that the father was either alleged killer Ingram, or victim Mr Harris.
Ingram, was out on bail over allegations he had stalked, intimidated and assaulted Ms Quinn and damaged her property.
Mr Harris’ uncle revealed there had been bad blood between Mr Harris and Ingram.
‘John and Julian, they never got on over the years,’ he said.
‘There have been a lot of small things leading up over the years, you know?
‘But not this. I have lived here all my life. Things like this don’t happen in Lake Cargelligo.’
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed on Monday morning the search is continuing at Mt Hope
Mt Hope is an area that Ingram, who is a Lachlan Shire Council gardener and who previously worked as a brush cutter in surrounding bush for years, has ‘very good knowledge of’
When asked if they thought Ms Quinn or Mr Harris was the alleged killer’s intended target, the men said they did not know, but wondered if Mr Harris was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed on Monday morning the search is continuing at Mt Hope.
He did not confirm any further sightings of Ingram since the ‘very early hours’ of Sunday morning.
‘Tactical police are in that location now carrying out searches… obviously with an armed offender in that area, we are asking members of the public to exercise extreme caution,’ assistant commissioner Holland said.
‘There is no lockdown in the area, but people need to be careful about their movements, and obviously, report to the police any unusual activity.’
Mt Hope is an area that Ingram, who is a Lachlan Shire Council gardener and who previously worked as a brush cutter in surrounding bush for years, has ‘very good knowledge of’.
Police are also asking for anyone who has information regarding a single cab trayback vehicle with the registration number DM-07-GZ to call triple zero immediately.
The remote settlement, which has a population of 16 people according to the 2021 ABS Census, is about an hour’s drive north from Lake Cargelligo.
Assistant Commissioner Holland did not confirm any further sightings of Ingram since the ‘very early hours’ of Sunday morning
Ingram is described as between 165cm and 170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.
Police have urged anyone who sees Ingram or his vehicle to immediately call 000 or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
