This article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died.
Police are searching for a man who is accused of murdering three people, including a pregnant Aboriginal woman, in the central west New South Wales town of Lake Cargelligo.
NSW Police allege Julian Ingram, 37, shot and killed his former partner, Indigenous woman Sophie Quinn, 24, and her friend John Harris, 32, while they were driving through the town on Thursday afternoon.
Police say Mr Ingram then travelled to a nearby home, where he allegedly fatally shot Sophie's aunt, Nerida Quinn, 50, and seriously injured 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen, who was allegedly shot in the driveway. Mr Macqueen was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
A warrant was issued for Mr Ingram's arrest on Friday, triggering a large-scale police manhunt across the region.
Mr Ingram is described by police as about 165-170 centimetres tall, of medium build, with short dark hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ, featuring council signage, a metal tray back, high-visibility markings and an emergency light bar on the roof, according to police.
The public has been warned not to approach Mr Ingram if seen, with police saying he may be armed and dangerous, urging members of the public with information to contact Triple Zero.
Speaking to ABC News, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland said Mr Ingram did not hold a firearms licence in the state but was believed to have access to weapons.
"He has access to firearms, which are unknown, and that will form part of the investigation as well," Assistant Commissioner Holland told ABC News.
Assistant Commissioner Holland also told ABC News Mr Ingram was known to police for previous domestic violence offences.
More than 100 police officers, including specialist tactical units, negotiators and homicide investigators, have been deployed to Lake Cargelligo as part of the search. Police resources from neighbouring districts were also sent to the town, with helicopters used overnight.
Assistant Commissioner Holland said the shooting had deeply shaken the small community.
"Any death in a small country town is confronting, but a scene where people have been shot by firearms is obviously going to make people very tense and very concerned," he told ABC News.
Residents were urged to remain indoors, stay away from windows and report any suspicious behaviour, including unfamiliar vehicles or movement around properties.
Police have established an appeal for information and are asking anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. Members of the public with information are urged to contact Central West Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Note: On Friday Police described Mr Ingram as "being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appearance", which was included in the original version of this report. National Indigenous Times understands Mr Ingram is not Indigenous.
