Daily London
Residents in Lake Cargelligo have been told to stay inside as officers swarm the small country town in search of a man they fear is still armed.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said police were first called to reports of shots fired into a vehicle about 4.20pm today.
Officers found a man and a woman dead.
A short time later there were reports that more shots had been fired and police found a woman dead and a man with critical injuries on Walker Street, near Yelkin Street.
“A scene like this, any death in a small country town is confronting,” Holland said.
“A scene where you have people shot by firearms is obviously going to make people very, very tense, very concerned.
“The scene faced by emergency services at that time would have been horrendous, I worry about their safety and I’m sure they will be looked after.”
Holland said the surviving man had been taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The gunman has not been publicly identified and Holland would not comment on the relationship between the shooter and the victims.
A large number of officers are involved in what Holland said was a “very large search area”.
Barwon MP Roy Butler said it was a “tragic” situation.
“It’s a terrible situation, and it’s still live, so we don’t have much information,” Butler said.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“Please stay indoors until the advice changes.”
Stephen Lawrence, the member of the legislative council for Dubbo, Cootamundra, Orange, Bathurst and Barwon, said it was “terrible news”.
“My thoughts are with the Lake Cargelligo community right now,” he said.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Central West Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Lake Cargelligo is about 600 kilometres west of Sydney.
It has a population of 1169, according to the 2021 Census.
