In short:

NSW Police granted Julian Ingram bail for a number of domestic violence offences before he allegedly murdered three people.

Court documents show safety concerns for victims and the community were raised before bail was approved.

New South Wales Police granted bail to alleged triple-murderer Julian Ingram despite concerns over the potential danger he posed to victims and the community, court documents have revealed.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains names and images of Indigenous people who have died.

The 37-year-old council worker is suspected of fatally shooting his heavily pregnant ex-partner Sophie Quinn, her aunt Nerida Quinn and John Harris in Lake Cargelligo on January 22.

Mr Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, remains on the run.

More than 100 officers have been searching the town and surrounding villages, with a focus on the Mount Hope area where there was a reported sighting of him.

Police on Monday declared a critical incident investigation to probe their own actions in the lead-up to and investigation of the shooting.

Sophie Quinn was one of three people killed in the shooting at Lake Cargelligo. (Supplied)

Bail safety concerns

At the time of the alleged murders Mr Ingram was on bail for domestic violence charges relating to Ms Quinn, including common assault, damaging property, and stalking and intimidation.

The charges relate to two incidents that are alleged to have occurred in Lake Cargelligo on November 26 and 27, 2025.

Mr Ingram had pleaded not guilty to the offences and was granted bail with conditions by an officer at Lake Cargelligo Police Station on November 30.

Court documents stated the officer who granted bail noted potential safety concerns if Mr Ingram was released from custody.

“There is a bail concern that the accused person … will endanger the safety of victims, individuals or the community,”

the documents said.

The documents stated that bail was granted as the accused’s “last incident of violence was in 2021” and “has nil history of breaches of bail”.

Police released CCTV footage showing Julian Ingram reporting to Lake Cargelligo Police Station as required by his bail conditions. (Supplied: NSW Police)

If bail was refused, Mr Ingram would likely have spent three days in custody before appearing in court.

The officer concluded, “The accused is not likely to receive a custodial sentence,” according to the documents.

The conditions imposed required Mr Ingram to report to Lake Cargelligo Police Station daily between 8am and 8pm, which he was seen doing on the day of the alleged shooting, as shown in CCTV footage released by NSW Police.

Riot police are helping with the search for Julian Ingram on properties around Lake Cargelligo. (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)

At the time of bail being granted, Mr Ingram was facing a charge of knowingly driving a vehicle in a manner that was a menace to others, and negligent driving related to a 2024 incident that he pleaded not guilty to.

Mr Ingram was listed to appear in Parkes Local Court for a police mention on the charges on Monday, but he did not attend.

The matter is listed for a hearing on March 3.

Police scrutinised

Family and domestic violence support services:

If you need help immediately, call emergency services on Triple Zero.

1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
The Kids Helpline: 24-hour support on 1800 55 1800
Lifeline: 131 114

On Monday, Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland declared a critical incident investigation.

A level two critical incident is when an incident may have resulted from police policies or interactions.

“This incident will examine the ongoing relationship between Sophie Quinn and Julian Ingram and his access to firearms and his ability to gain these prior to and leading up to the murder[s],” Assistant Commissioner Holland said.

They will also examine the full domestic violence history of the suspect.

Mr Ingram never had a firearms licence issued in NSW.

Police have been scouring remote properties in Lake Cargelligo and surrounds.  (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)

The investigation, overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, will review police actions and whether they complied with policy, procedure and legislation.

“Fresh information has come forward and it’s given me reason to believe that the matter needs to be further investigated,” Assistant Commissioner Holland said.

He said information was provided by members of the public, but he could not provide details.

“Our priority is still the apprehension of Julian Ingram.”

Search remains priority

Officers from the riot squad, Tactical Operations Unit and bomb disposal teams have been scouring the remote bushland Mr Ingram is believed to have been hiding in for almost two weeks in over 40 degree Celsius heat.

Aerial assets, including PolAir and multiple drones, are being used in the search through the rugged and vast country.

The search is in its 12th day.

Mr Ingram was last seen leaving Lake Cargelligo in a white dual-cab Lachlan Shire Council ute with the NSW registration DM-07-GZ.

Police confirmed the only sighting of Mr Ingram since then was reported to have been between January 24 and 25 at a property 3km south of Mount Hope on the Kidman Highway.

Police have released images of the white utility vehicle which was last seen being driven by triple murder suspect Julian Ingram. (Supplied: NSW Police)

The ABC has spoken to two girls who said they were pig hunting when they came across a man, believed to be Mr Ingram, twice on the Saturday night.

The first time, they said, he was standing shirtless in the middle of one of their paddocks.

They claim to have seen him again several hours later, after seeking shelter at a house on the property and calling police.

As they drove out of the property in the darkness, they said he was standing by the side of the road and pointed a gun towards their car.

Riot squad police officers have been searching on foot for signs of Julian Ingram near Euabalong.  (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)

Assistant Commissioner Holland said he believed Mr Ingram still had access to the original ute he fled in and possibly other vehicles.

“After 12 days in this heat, and in the conditions he’s in, I believe he is getting help from people,” he said.

“The conditions are oppressive. They’re very, very hard on the police involved but we will continue searching in the area.”

Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity or has information on Mr Ingram is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.