Two residents injured in violent community clash in Wadeye

Two people have been injured and residents have been on alert amid ongoing unrest in the remote NT community of Wadeye.

Police are investigating a recent clash between two groups in the remote community at Wadeye in Northern Territory.

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TWO people have been injured and residents have been on alert amid ongoing unrest in the remote NT community of Wadeye, 240km southwest of Darwin.

Wadeye residents say violence escalated after a fight between two groups broke out on Sunday.

Two people were injured during the clash and four people have since been arrested.

This is not the first time Wadeye, located 420km southwest of Darwin, has been rocked by community unrest.

Four people had to be evacuated for medical treatment after fighting broke out between rival groups last November.

It is understood this most recent clash was heavily fuelled by alcohol.

Superintendent Kirk Pennuto said police responded when the two groups began fighting on Sunday.

“Four arrests have been made in relation to the incident with two individuals sustaining non-life-threatening injuries,” Supt Pennuto said.

“Investigations and inquiries are ongoing, and there is no risk to the wider Wadeye community.”

He said a community meeting had been scheduled for Monday to discuss Sunday’s violent clash.

A health staffer at the Wadeye health clinic said they were put on alert when the unrest began.

She said normal operations at the clinic had resumed on Monday.

John Young, the principal at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Thamarrurr Catholic College, said it was unfortunate to see fighting in Wadeye so soon after the community hosted the local footy grand final day on Saturday.

He said most of the unrest had died down by Monday.

“The fighting hasn’t affected the school here, and we understand there will be some mediation happening to calm things down,” he said.

“We haven’t had any fighting in the community in a long time, not since late last year.”

A duplex house was burnt down during community unrest in Wadeye last November.

A 25-year-old man was also allegedly shot in the foot with a crossbow during the incident.

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