Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned the following article contains names and images of the deceased.
Police have condemned the actions of rioters after multiple emergency service members were injured in a melee outside Alice Springs Hospital in response to the death of a five-year-old girl. Police officers and paramedics were also assaulted during the arrest of the man wanted over the girl's alleged murder.
More than 100 people gathered in the streets of Alice Springs following the alleged abduction and murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby, as she is now known at the request of her family for cultural reasons. Angry locals took to the streets after Jefferson Lewis, the man last seen with the girl, was apprehended by police after being beaten by vigilantes and taken to Alice Springs Hospital.
Shops were reportedly looted and rocks thrown at police during the riot, as officers retaliated with tear gas. Many of the rioters were accusing police of protecting the suspect, and chanting for 'payback', which is a term for traditional punishment under Aboriginal law in Central Australia.
Lewis, 47, was arrested at a residence in Alice Springs hours after Kumanjayi Little Baby's body was found, and he has since been moved to Darwin for safety reasons.
Police commissioner condemns violence
NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole told media on Friday his thoughts are with the police, ambulance, and fire and rescue officers who were injured during Thursday night's unrest, many who required medical treatment including stitches for head injuries.
'There's absolutely no excuse for violence against emergency services that are just doing their job,' he said. 'So for those people involved you will face the law just as Jefferson Lewis is facing the law.'
Accused killer found unconscious after beating
The murder suspect was found unconscious after a 'prolonged' attack from community members, and was being treated by paramedics when police arrived.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said that attacks on frontline workers are 'never acceptable'. 'While we appreciate and understand that people are very angry and grieving, there is never an excuse or acceptability of violence as a response,' she said.
Finocchiaro said she was hopeful the violent outbreak was an 'isolated incident' and should 'not define what was an incredible community effort this week'. She also announced there will be no takeaway alcohol available in Alice Springs today.
Killed girl's family calls for calm
Following the riots, Robin Granites, a senior elder from the local Yapa community and spokesperson for Kumanjayi Little Baby's family, issued a statement appealing for calm.
'It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering,' the statement reads. 'Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that. What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened. This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family.'
Granites also asked people in bush communities to consider their need to travel to Alice Springs at this time. 'If you need to come to join sorry business, that's fine. But just come for that, then return home please,' the statement continued. 'Now is not the time to be heroes on social media or make trouble. We must be mindful Mparntwe is traditional country for Central Arrernte, and East and Western Arrernte as well. We must respect that and their ways. We need to be strong for each other, we must respect family and cultural practice. This is the Yapa way.'
Violence follows discovery of girl's body
Kumanjayi Little Baby was reported missing from her home on Marshall Ct in Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs, about 1.35am on Sunday. She was last seen by family when she was put to bed about 11.30pm on Saturday.
A massive search effort, one of the biggest ever in the Northern Territory, was launched to find the missing girl, with dozens of police, helicopters, emergency service personnel and volunteers joining the campaign. Kumanjayi Little Baby was found dead by a police search party at about midday on Thursday about 5km from where she went missing.
Police also announced significant DNA discoveries in the girl's clothing allegedly linking Lewis to the crime.
On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he hoped the little girl lived on in every 'heart she ever touched'. 'Our hearts are broken that the case of the little girl missing in Alice Springs has had such a tragic ending,' his statement reads. 'She was just at the start of life's adventure.'
NT Police's Executive Director of Cultural Reform, Leanne Liddle, read out a letter from Kumanjayi Little Baby's mother. 'To Kumanjayi Little Baby,' she said. 'Me and Ramsiah miss and love you.' Her mother said she knew she was in heaven with the rest of her family. 'Me and your brother will meet you one day,' the girl's mother said. 'We are giving our lives to Jesus. It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you. Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in Heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever. Love from Mum and Ramsiah.'
