Bombshell claims after accused triple murderer Julian Ingram allegedly shot dead pregnant ex and two others – as sole survivor reveals chilling act by alleged gunman

Family members of a pregnant woman and man allegedly gunned down have claimed the pair were not in a romantic relationship.

Sophie Quinn, 25, 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.

Ingram went a few blocks over to Walker Street and allegedly shot dead Ms Quinn’s aunt Nerida, 50, and wounded Kaleb MacQueen, 19, who was visiting the house.

It was initially reported Ms Quinn and Mr Harris were a couple; however, Ms Quinn’s brother and Mr Harris’ uncle have told Daily Mail the pair were actually ‘best friends’.

The pair made several claims, including that Mr Harris could have been in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ when the shooting unfolded, but also said he had not got along with Ingram.

‘(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.

+10
View gallery

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

+10
View gallery

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.

+10
View gallery

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

+10
View gallery

Ms Quinn’s brother and Mr Harris’ uncle have since spoken out and told Daily Mail the pair were actually ‘best friends’

+10
View gallery

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.’

+10
View gallery

Ingram went a few blocks over to Walker Street and allegedly shot dead Ms Quinn’s aunt Nerida, 50, and wounded Kaleb MacQueen (pictured), 19, who was visiting the house

+10
View gallery

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed on Monday morning the search is continuing at Mt Hope

+10
View gallery

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.

+10
View gallery

Nerida Quinn was allegedly shot dead, with witness Kaleb MacQueen opening up on the horrific moment

+10
View gallery

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.