Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned the following article contains names and images of the deceased.
A man has been charged over the death of a five-year-old Northern Territory girl after her suspected abduction. The child, known as Kumanjayi Little Baby, was found dead on Thursday.
Charges Laid
Jefferson Lewis, 47, was charged on Saturday night with one count of murder, NT Police confirmed on Sunday. "This remains a deeply distressing matter," said Northern Territory Police Force Commander Martin Dole.
Lewis was arrested at a town camp in Alice Springs on Thursday night after being assaulted by a group of people. He was found unconscious and taken to Alice Springs Hospital before being transferred to Darwin for safety reasons.
Disappearance and Discovery
The arrest came after Kumanjayi Little Baby was found dead on Thursday, five days after she disappeared last Sunday. She was last seen by her family at a home on Marshall Ct in Old Timers Camp on Saturday night after being put to bed. Lewis was staying at the same home and is believed to have gone missing around the same time.
Police located a number of items on the banks of the Todd River behind Old Timers Camp, including a pair of children’s underwear, a yellow shirt believed to have been worn by Lewis, and a doona cover.
Riots Erupt
After the arrest, riots broke out in Alice Springs, outside the hospital where Lewis was taken under police custody. Shops were looted and rocks thrown at officers, who responded with tear gas. According to ABC reports, some involved in the riots accused police of protecting the suspect and chanted for "payback" — a term referring to traditional punishment under Aboriginal law in Central Australia.
But as NT Police prepare to release footage of the riots and looting, Dole stated: "What you will see in this footage, is not people processing grief over the death of Baby Kumanjayi. What you will see is not people trying to practice traditional law. What you will see is criminal behaviour, plain and simple."
Police Response
Police urged anyone who recognises people pictured in the footage to report them, and asked those involved to "hand yourself in before we come for you." A number of people have already been identified from hundreds of hours of footage. Two people have handed themselves in, and about 11 people have been charged in relation to the riots. Aggravated burglary and stealing are the principal charges.
One woman, who allegedly used a lighter and dried grass to start a fire beneath a police car causing $20,000 damage, was charged with attempt arson and taking part in a riot.
Government Response
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said attacks on frontline workers are "never acceptable." She added: "While we appreciate and understand that people are very angry and grieving, there is never an excuse or acceptability of violence as a response." Finocchiaro expressed hope the violent outbreak was an isolated incident and should not define what was an incredible community effort this week.
First Nations people seeking mental health support should contact the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line on 139276 or visit 13yarn.org.au.
