Gunman on the run after three people shot dead

Samantha Lock and Sam McKeith | January 22, 2026

A potentially-armed shooter is on the run in central NSW after opening fire in a small country town, killing three people and injuring a fourth.

More police are being brought in to search for the suspect, who is believed to have fled in a vehicle after the attack in Lake Cargelligo, around 550 km west of Sydney.

The person who carried out the shootings is yet to be identified.

Western region police commander Andy Holland said locals should stay inside and report any suspicious activity.

“If they see someone suspicious, obviously the first thing to do is call 000. Make sure that you are secure in your home. Stay away from windows where possible,” Assistant Commissioner Holland told reporters in Dubbo, around 300 kilometres northeast of Lake Cargelligo.

“There are concerns that this offender may be armed with a firearm… the offender is currently on the move, and we are looking to try and locate this offender,” he said.

Mr Holland said a man and a woman were killed when shots were fired into their vehicle around 4:20pm.

A short time later, another woman was shot dead.

The man she was with was also shot, and rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

“The scene faced by the emergency services officers at that time would have been horrendous,” Mr Holland said.

A number of areas in the town have been cordoned off, and police are scouring a large area as they hunt for the shooter.

Extra personnel have been brought in from surrounding towns to help.

Asked about the age of the victims and the relationship they may have had with their attacker, Mr Holland said it was still too early to say.

Police have sent a geo-targeted text message to residents telling them to stay inside and avoid the area.

A staff member at the Commercial Hotel in the centre of town, who did not wish to be named, said there had been a lot of police activity after what they believed was a shooting in a house. 

“I’m just inside, trying to not be around,” they told AAP. 

A manager of a local motel said it was “a little bit scary” in the town  and she believed more police were headed to the area.

Roy Butler, the independent member for Barwon, described the situation as “tragic news”.

“It’s a terrible situation, and it’s still live, so we don’t have much information. My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he said.

“As there has been a number of shootings and the offender has not been detained – please stay indoors until the advice changes.”