Leaders call for healing and calm amid NT Police death in custody investigation into young disabled man from Yuendumu
Leaders are calling for healing and calm amid an investigation into the death of a young Aboriginal man who was forced to the ground by police in an Alice Springs supermarket.
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Leaders are calling for healing and calm amid an investigation into the death of a young Aboriginal man who died after a police arrest in an Alice Springs supermarket.
NT Police have confirmed a 24-year-old man died in hospital 70 minutes after being restrained to the ground by officers in the Alice Springs Coles on Wednesday afternoon.
It is understood the Alice Springs man had a disability, was under a guardianship order and an NDIS plan at the time.
He has been confirmed as being from the Warlpiri community with connections to Yuendumu, the home of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker who died in a police shooting in 2019.
Ten days out from when the long-running coronial inquest in Mr Walker’s death was expected to return to Yuendumu, on June 10, the Central Australian community is grappling with a fresh death in custody investigation.
NT Police have alleged the 24-year-old was involved in an altercation with private security after attempting to steal from the supermarket.
Mr Wurst claimed two plainclothes on-duty officers became involved and the man ‘lost consciousness’ while forced to the ground.
Witnesses told the NT News the man’s friends warned police: “Hey look this fella has a disability, he’s disabled, just be a bit more careful”.
The Chief Minister and Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she had been briefed directly by the Acting Police Commissioner about the incident which “is now subject to formal investigation”.
“My thoughts are with the family of the man who passed away,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Police have provided an update to the community.
“This remains an active police investigation and will be subject to the coronial process.”
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said while “emotions are raw and details are still emerging” it was important to let the official process “take its course”.
“Once again, Alice Springs has been shaken by deeply distressing news,” Ms Uibo said.
“My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragic event. To the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life - my deepest condolences. I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling and my heart goes out to you.
“I also want to acknowledge our Police Force and security staff across the NT, who will be feeling the weight of what has occurred. This is a difficult time for all involved.
“When emotions are raw and details are still emerging, it’s more important than ever that we come together as a community. We must allow space for a full, fair, and thorough investigation.”
Federal Lingiari member Marion Scrymgour has also called for everyone to “support one another” as the man’s death was “being felt heavily in our community”.
“An investigation is underway - but one thing is clear - we all need to come together during this time,” she said.
NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said she had spoken with an Elder from the man’s family to express her deepest sympathy.
“My thoughts are with all of his family, loved ones and community,” Ms McCarthy said.
“The family is waiting for further information as the investigation is ongoing.”
Independent Victorian Senator and Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman Lidia Thorpe said her heart was with the “Warlpiri mob, the Yuendumu community, and all those grieving the shocking death in custody of a young Aboriginal man in Mparntwe”.
“He was hungry, and he needed care. Instead, he was met with brutal force,” Ms Thorpe said.
Ms Thorpe said this was part of a decades-long pattern where Aboriginal people have called for “for justice, accountability, and care instead of cruelty”.
“This is not an isolated tragedy — it’s part of a brutal pattern where our people die at the hands of police and in prisons,” she said.
“We won’t stop speaking out until it ends.”
Since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody 590 Indigenous people have died while in police or corrections custody.
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Originally published as Leaders call for healing and calm amid NT Police death in custody investigation into young disabled man from Yuendumu
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