Gunfire erupted in the sleepy hamlet of Lake Cargelligo, 450 km west of Sydney, turning a routine afternoon into horror. By 4:40 PM Thursday, NSW Police confirmed three fatalities—two females and one male—in what appears to be a targeted attack.
Emergency crews arrived to a grim scene, rushing one surviving male victim, critically hurt but stable, to medical care. The site is now a fortified crime zone, with bystanders warned away and locals told to hunker down.
Adding to the unease, this follows a January 18 drive-by in Lalor Park, where unknown gunmen sprayed a residence with shots late Saturday, hospitalizing a 46-year-old occupant after on-site treatment by ambulance staff.
These incidents spotlight a surge in firearm-related crimes across New South Wales. Paralleling national security woes, PM Anthony Albanese’s January 8 Royal Commission announcement addresses antisemitism post-Bondi Beach attack, vowing probes into its roots, enforcement tools, attack forensics, and unity-building steps.
From Canberra, Albanese urged: ‘We prioritize unity and harmony. Australia must recover, reflect, and advance together.’ Facing 59 counts—including 15 murders—is 24-year-old Navid Akram, tied to an IS-inspired Bondi assault.
Communities from rural outposts to urban beaches grapple with fear. As forensics teams scour evidence in Lake Cargelligo, authorities stress community vigilance and collaborative efforts to stem this tide of violence threatening Australia’s safety.