Three people were killed in a shooting in the rural town of Lake Cargelligo in New South Wales on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a major police operation and warnings for residents to stay indoors, authorities said.
Police confirmed that a fourth person was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition following the attack, which unfolded shortly after 4:40 pm local time.
The Lake Cargelligo shooting has shaken the tight knit community of about 1,500 people, with officers continuing to search for a suspect who remains at large.
New South Wales Police said emergency services were called to Walker Street near Yelkin Street after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found three people deceased at the scene.
“A crime scene has been established and specialist police resources have been deployed,” police said in a statement, adding that residents were urged to avoid the area.
Authorities confirmed the victims were two women and one man. Their identities have not been released, pending formal notification of families.
Meanwhile, tactical police units were dispatched to assist local officers as the search for the suspect continued across the region.
Australian media reported that investigators are treating the incident as a suspected domestic violence related attack, citing police sources.
The Sydney Morning Herald said detectives were working to locate the alleged gunman, while Seven News reported that the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle owned by the local council.
Police have not publicly confirmed those details but said inquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made as of Wednesday evening.
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Lake Cargelligo sits in central New South Wales, roughly 570 kilometers west of Sydney, and is known for its quiet rural character.
The shooting comes amid heightened public concern about violent attacks in Australia, following last month’s deadly stabbing at Sydney’s Bondi Junction shopping center that left six people dead, according to police and court records.
While firearm violence remains rare in Australia due to strict gun laws, authorities say incidents involving domestic disputes continue to pose a serious challenge.
Police said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.