Australia Home Shooting: Gunman Kills Ex-Girlfriend and Two Others in New South Wales

A deadly shooting in New South Wales, Australia, claimed the lives of three people on Thursday, coinciding with the country’s National Day of Mourning for victims of the recent Bondi Beach terror attack. Police confirmed that the alleged gunman has been identified and that an extensive manhunt is underway to locate him.

The incident unfolded in Lake Cargelligo, a small town in the Central West region of New South Wales, more than 600 kilometers west of Sydney. According to police, the gunman initially opened fire on a man sitting inside a vehicle and a woman believed to be his former girlfriend, killing both at the scene.

The violence did not stop there. Authorities said the suspect then shot two additional members of the local community, individuals he was believed to have known personally. One man sustained serious injuries and remains under medical care, while a woman later succumbed to her wounds, bringing the total death toll to three.

Emergency services were immediately deployed to the remote location following reports of gunfire. Given the seriousness of the situation and the possibility that the suspect remained armed, New South Wales Police urged residents to stay indoors and avoid the surrounding area until further notice.

Local leaders described the incident as deeply distressing. Roy Butler, a regional politician, said the community was grappling with shock and fear. “This is a terrible situation,” he told Australian broadcasters. “We don’t yet have all the details. My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time.”

According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, the suspected gunman was believed to be hiding within the town and may be carrying a long-arm firearm. Police continued search operations throughout the area, treating the suspect as dangerous and urging the public not to approach him.

The shooting has heightened national anxiety, coming just one month after a devastating attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where two attackers opened fire on a gathering marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. That incident left fifteen people dead and was described by authorities as one of the worst mass shootings in Australia in decades.

In response to the Bondi Beach attack, Australia introduced a series of tough new gun-control measures earlier this week. These include stricter background checks for firearm licenses and provisions for a nationwide gun buyback program aimed at reducing the number of weapons in circulation.

New South Wales, which has the highest number of registered firearms among Australian states, has also enacted additional restrictions. Under the new laws, gun license holders must be members of an approved shooting club, and individuals are now limited to owning a maximum of four rifles.

As investigations continue, the latest shooting has reignited debate across Australia about domestic violence, firearm access, and public safety—particularly in regional communities. Authorities say further updates will be provided as the manhunt progresses and more information becomes available.