(Lake Cargelligo, Australia, January 22, 2026) —
Three people are dead and another hospitalized following a shooting in the central west New South Wales town of Lake Cargelligo, with police continuing to search for the gunman.
- Three people – two women and one man – were confirmed dead at the scene.
- A fourth person was taken to a hospital in serious but stable condition.
- Police issued a geo-targeted SMS urging residents to stay indoors or avoid the area.
Three people died after a shooting in Lake Cargelligo on Thursday, police confirmed. Emergency services responded to reports of the incident on Walker Street, near Yelkin Street, at approximately 4:40 p.m. local time.
Police confirmed the victims were two women and one man. Another man was transported to a hospital and is currently in serious but stable condition, according to authorities.
A crime scene has been established, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is underway. Earlier in the day, police sent a geo-targeted SMS message to residents throughout the town, advising them to remain inside or avoid the area.
“There should be people staying inside right now,” a police spokesperson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). “We will be throwing everything at it that is available.”
Roy Butler, Independent MP and member for Barwon, described the news as “tragic.” “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,” Butler said.
Why It Matters
This incident marks a rare instance of gun violence in rural New South Wales, prompting a significant police response and raising concerns within the close-knit community of Lake Cargelligo. The ongoing search for the suspect underscores the immediate threat to public safety and the need for a thorough investigation.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by the ABC and added independent analysis and context.
