3 Dead, 1 Seriously Injured After Gunman Opens Fire in Rural Australian Town, 5 Weeks After Bondi Beach Shooting By Kirsty Hatcher

Three people have died in a shooting in a rural town in Australia. 

Emergency services responded to reports of a shooting in Lake Cargelligo, which is over 300 miles west of Sydney, at around 4:40 p.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 22, the New South Wales Police (NSW Police) said in a news release. 

Police confirmed two women and a man had died in the incident. Another man has been hospitalized in a “serious but stable condition,” officials said. 

A crime scene has been established and police are investigating the incident. 

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the incident was a suspected domestic violence attack.

According to the outlet, the suspected gunman fatally shot a woman, believed to be a former partner, and a man at a home before traveling to a second home where he shot two other people who were known to him. The woman died and the man was seriously injured.

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According to local reports, including The SMH and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the gunman is still at large. 

“At this stage police have identified an offender who is still at large,” Western Region Command’s assistant Commissioner Andy Holland said, per 7News.

“We have a large search in the area currently underway and we are requesting that people remain indoors.”

In their release, police urged the public to avoid the area and told local residents to stay inside. 

“There should be people staying inside right now,” a police spokesperson told ABC. “We will be throwing everything at it that is available.”

The shooting comes weeks after two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Dec. 14. Fifteen people died in the terrorist attack, while 41 others, including four children, were injured. 

Suspect Naveed Akram, 24, was charged with 15 counts of murder in connection with the shooting on Dec. 17. The second suspected gunman — his father, Sajid Akram, 50 — was shot by police and died at the scene, per previous reporting by the BBC.

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The latest incident in Australia came on the same day the country was beginning a national day of mourning for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. 

Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, noted the day in a post on X. 

“We honour the 15 innocent lives taken in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, and stand with their families, loved ones and the Bondi Chabad community,” Albanese wrote. “We will never let hate win.”

Australians were encouraged to mark the day and “light a candle, pause for a minute of silence at 7.01pm, and stand with one another.” 

“Flags are flying at half-mast across the country as we mourn together,” Albanese added. “This is a day of remembrance. And a day of unity. Because light will always be stronger than hate.”

On Jan. 20, Australia’s parliament voted for gun law reforms following the Bondi shooting. The measures include a national gun buyback scheme and new checks on firearm license applications, per the BBC.

Anyone with information about the incident in Lake Cargelligo is urged to contact Central West Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.