A notable legal service and a proactive senator are advocating for justice following the death of a 24-year-old Aboriginal man while in custody in Alice Springs. The man died in hospital approximately 70 minutes after being restrained during an altercation with security personnel at a local Coles supermarket.
Initial reports from NT Police Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst indicated that the man had allegedly concealed items in his clothing and assaulted one of the security guards when confronted. Following this, he reportedly became aggressive towards plain-clothed officers present at the store. Wurst later updated the situation, revealing that CCTV and body camera footage confirmed the man was taken to the ground and remained there for several minutes before losing consciousness. Efforts to administer first aid, including CPR, were made before he was rushed to Alice Springs Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Wurst described the incident as a “tragedy” and acknowledged that the man was a Warlpiri individual living in Alice Springs and receiving support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Although an autopsy was conducted, the cause of death remains undetermined, necessitating further investigation for clarity.
The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro, expressed condolences to the man’s family and stated that a formal investigation is underway. This incident is categorised as a death in custody and will undergo a coronial inquest, with Wurst leading a complex investigation to ensure transparency.
In light of this incident, Theresa Roe, Chair of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, has raised concerns about the pressures of the justice system leading to potential deaths in custody. She highlighted the increasing demand for her services amid tough new crime laws, which she claims overlook deeper issues like poverty and education. Roe urged government intervention to address neglect towards Indigenous communities, warning that punitive measures have not proven effective.
Senator Lidia Thorpe echoed the community’s calls for justice, stating that the man was simply seeking care but met with excessive force instead. She emphasised that this tragedy is not an isolated case, calling it part of a larger pattern of violence against Aboriginal people by law enforcement. Thorpe demanded accountability and reform, asserting the importance of advocacy for Indigenous rights.
The community continues to seek justice and transparency regarding the incident, accompanied by a collective demand for an end to systemic violence against Indigenous Australians. For those in distress, support is available through 13YARN, a crisis line operated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.