‘Working with both families involved’: Police continue to investigate death of Yirrkala teenager

Multiple crime scenes have been set up in the community of Yirrkala as police begin to piece together the moments that led to a 16-year-old being stabbed to death on ­Wednesday.

A 16-year-old boy is dead and at least three others are in hospital after a large fight in the remote Territory town of Yirrkala. Picture: Google

• Horror in Gove: 16-year-old killed in tragic stabbing

MULTIPLE crime scenes have been set up in the community of Yirrkala as police begin to piece together the moments that led to a 16-year-old being stabbed to death and three others injured during a brawl on ­Wednesday afternoon.

NT Police Assistant Commissioner Michael White said on Thursday that initial investigations indicated there were “tensions” in the community before Wednesday’s tragic fight.

As of Thursday afternoon no one had been arrested or charged.

Between 80 and 100 people were at the oval where the 16-year-old boy was stabbed on Wednesday. The shocking death in Yirrkala, near Nhulunbuy, is believed to have occurred about 3.30pm, according to a local resident.

The injured men — aged 18, 40 and 45 — were taken to Gove District Hospital before being flown to Royal Darwin Hospital. Two are in a stable condition and the third is in a serious but ­stable condition.

Detectives are looking into the relationship between the dead teenager and injured trio.

“We’re also working very closely with senior elders of both families involved, and also using our Aboriginal community police officers and Aboriginal liaison officers to provide that cultural support to make sure at this time that we can maintain safety for all involved,” Mr White said.

He said the sheer number of people at the scene of the incident meant police had a lot of evidence and ­interviews with witnesses to gather.

MORE NT NEWS

How Scott Morrison spent Day 1 of his NT tour

Woman arrested after man allegedly stabbed in head, neck

Driver clocked at more than 110km/h over the speed limit, cops $1040 fine

“We have priorities, obviously the crime scenes and securing as much forensic evidence as possible, and also identifying witnesses and obtaining their statements and any other information. So I’d certainly ask that anyone in the community that was a witness to it or has any information to make contact with police,” Mr White said.

Police are also appealing for witnesses who filmed the incident to supply footage to detectives.

Mr White said there had been no further violence in the town but the Territory Response Group was on site.

Sorry Business has begun with services and businesses shutting down. Yirrkala School was also closed Thursday. Police remained at the oval until midnight ­Wednesday.

East Arnhem Regional Council chief executive Dale Keehne said the council had postponed the opening of its regional office at the community today out of respect for the family of the slain teen.

Follow @JudithAisthorpe