Three individuals lost their lives in a shooting incident in a rural town in New South Wales, prompting law enforcement to launch a significant search for the suspected shooter.
The tragic event occurred on Walker Street, near Yelkin Street, in Lake Cargelligo, located in the Central West region of the state, around 4:40 pm on Thursday. Two women and a man were fatally shot during the incident, while another man sustained serious injuries and was swiftly taken to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Authorities from the Central West Police District responded to the shooting after receiving reports of the incident. The alleged gunman, who has a restraining order against him, fled the scene in a council-owned vehicle. Police are actively pursuing the suspect and searching for the vehicle as part of their ongoing investigation.
A crime scene has been cordoned off, and law enforcement officials are urging the public to steer clear of the area for safety reasons. Residents have been advised to stay indoors as the search operation continues. More updates will be provided by the police as new information emerges.
Lake Cargelligo, a small town located approximately three hours southwest of Dubbo, boasts a population of around 1,500 residents and is renowned for its water-based recreational activities such as sailing, kayaking, water-skiing, and swimming.
Witnesses in the area described a heavy presence of police cars and ambulances following the incident. Local politician Roy Butler expressed his condolences, labeling the shooting as tragic news for the town, situated about 370 miles (600km) west of Sydney. He emphasized the ongoing nature of the situation and extended his thoughts to the victims and their families.
The shooting incident coincided with a national day of mourning in Australia as the country remembered the 15 individuals killed in a shooting during a Hannukah celebration in Sydney on December 14. The Australian parliament swiftly passed new gun control measures in response to the recent tragedies.
