WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of people who have died

A man wanted over an alleged triple murder in remote NSW was out on bail at the time of the shootings and could use his local knowledge to evade capture for an “extended period” of time, police say.

Julian Ingram, 37, is wanted over the shooting deaths of three people, including a pregnant woman, at Lake Cargelligo in the state’s Central West.

Sophie Quinn, Ingram’s 25-year-old pregnant ex-partner and her new boyfriend, 32-year-old John Harris, were shot dead in a car on Bokhara St on Thursday afternoon.

A short time later, Sophie’s aunt, Nerida Quinn, 50, was shot and killed in the driveway of a home on nearby Walker St, while 19-year-old friend, Kaleb MacQueen, was seriously injured.

MacQueen remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital and has spoken with detectives.

“It was loud booms … continuous loud bangs,” local Letitia Bardawil said.

“No one deserves this but especially not them.”

Bardawil said the shooting occurred near a local swimming pool where children saw the horror incident.

“She saw them running and covering their heads and their ears and their eyes,” she said.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland on Friday said Ingram is known to the victims and it is “definitely a domestic relationship”.

He confirmed Ingram, who is also known as Julian Pierpoint, had been recently bailed by police and then a court over domestic violence-related matters, and an apprehended violence order was in place.

“I will say in the time that he has been on bail he has complied with every condition and police have checked on him multiple times,” he said.

The last sighting of Ingram, a council gardener, was on a road heading out of town and more than 100 police officers are involved in the search for him.

It is believed he was driving a white Ford Ranger with council signage, 7NEWS reports.

“At this stage we’ve cleared a number of premises in the local area and we have also identified a number of places which are being reviewed in relation to the search patterns for the future,” Holland said.

“At this stage unfortunately, we haven’t been able to locate our offender and we are still continuing that process.”

7NEWS has been told by locals that Ingram may be hiding in nearby scrubland, saying he grew up in a caravan in the bush and knows the area well.

Holland said “there is police on almost every corner of Lake Cargelligo at the moment” but reiterated there is no lockdown and people can move around as they need to.

Holland said Ingram, a council gardener, knows the local area well, and “it is feasible that he could maintain an extended period in the local area without being detected”.

It is unknown how the suspect, who does not have a gun license, may have obtained a firearm.

Holland described the incident a “a tragedy in a small community”.

“It will take a long long time for this community to get back,” he said.

“We’ll need the community and those around them to support them to get them back on their feet.”

Holland said the public should not approach the wanted man and that he is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Anyone who sees him is urged to contact Triple-0 immediately.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.

Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.

If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, you can connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.