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Gunman at large, town on lockdown: What we know about shooting in Australia's New South Wales
The gunman is still at large and is reportedly believed to be holed up inside the town with a long-arm weapon.
At least three people were killed, and another was injured, on Thursday, after an unidentified gunman reportedly opened fire in a town in Australia's New South Wales state.
A police statement said that emergency services were called to an address at Lake Cargelligo, a town with a population of around 1,500 people. “About 4.40pm, emergency services were called to Walker Street, near Yelkin Street, Lake Cargelligo, following reports of a shooting,” they said. Follow LIVE updates on Australia shooting
The New South Wales police force said that officers attached to the Central West police district attended the scene. It urged the public to avoid the area and asked local residents to stay inside.
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The shooting left three people, including two women and a man, dead, while another man was taken to a hospital in a serious but stable condition, the Associated Press reported, citing police.
The gunman is still at large and is believed to be holed up inside the town with a long-arm weapon, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The latest incident gains significance against the backdrop of the massive shooting at the iconic Bondi Beach last month that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.
The shooting also comes a day after the Australian Parliament passed anti-hate speech and gun laws in response to the Bondi Beach attack.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the move and said, "At Bondi, the terrorists had hate in their hearts, but they had guns in their hands."
“We said we wanted to deal with that with urgency and with unity and we acted to deliver both,” he added.
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Authorities had said that two alleged Sydney gunmen were inspired by the Islamic State group to carry out the country's worst mass shooting since 1996.
New South Wales shooting | What we know
1. At least three people – two women and a man – killed. Another man injured, and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
2. Police said that at around 4:40 pm, emergency services were called to Walker Street, near Yelkin Street.
3. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the shooting is a suspected domestic violence attack.
4. A gunman is reportedly believed to be still inside the town, carrying a long-arm weapon. Additionally, the Commercial Hotel, a local pub, was shut around 6 pm after law enforcement authorities asked residents to remain indoors.
5. NSW police have deployed several resources from the neighbouring policing districts to the town, with heavily armed tactical police. The tactical operations unit is on its way, with high-powered weapons, and will "contain the threat", the newspaper reported, citing sources.
6. The shooting took place on the National Day of Mourning in Australia as citizens gathered to remember the 15 people who died in the Bondi Beach attack on December 14.
