Death in custody: Woman assaulted outside bank was carrying small baby

A sad new development has emerged in the lead-up to last week’s Alice Springs death in custody.

Disturbing new details have emerged about the final few moments of a Yuendumu man who died during an arrest by off-duty police officers after assaulting a security guard in Alice Springs on Tuesday.

Witnesses have told the NT News that a woman allegedly assaulted moments earlier by the same man outside the Commonwealth Bank on Gregory Terrace was holding an infant baby when she was attacked.

Although the infant’s age is not clear, the NT News understands the child could have been as young as four-months. It is believed the baby was not hurt in the attack.

The woman’s husband and toddler who were with her at the time also witnessed the assault.

The man, 24, whose identity has not been made public and is now the subject of a death in custody investigation, ran from the scene after the assault.

The Alice Springs Commonwealth Bank branch, located on Gregory Tce. Picture: Gera Kazakov

He was being accompanied by an NDIS support worker at the time the assault took place.

The support worker remained with the woman, her husband and two children after the assault as they waited for police to arrive.

Moments after the attack on the nursing mother, the Yuendumu man was stopped by a security guard at the nearby Coles supermarket on Gregory Terrace on suspicion of shoplifting. The nature of that assault remains unclear.

A police statement released on Tuesday afternoon said at around 1:10pm they “received reports that a male had been involved in an altercation with a security guard at the Coles supermarket in Alice Springs.

“Two police officers were in the store at the time of the incident and restrained the adult male.

A short time later, the man stopped breathing and CPR was commenced.

Police and ambulance vehicles outside Coles in Alice Springs after Tuesday’s death in custody. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“St John Ambulance attended the scene, and the man was conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after 2:20pm.”

Police disclosed on Wednesday a woman had been assaulted and urged anyone who witnessed the incidents at Coles or near the Commonwealth Bank to make contact.

“Police believe the man was involved in an incident near the Commonwealth Bank on Gregory Terrace just prior to the incident at Coles,” an NT Police statement said.

“It is alleged that during this incident the 24-year-old has assaulted a woman who was not known to him. Police have since identified this woman and investigations remain ongoing.”

Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst promised a “full and thorough” investigation.

“Detectives have collected a considerable amount of evidence and the public can be assured that a full and thorough investigative report will be prepared for the Coroner,” he said.

A forensic pathologist is yet to determine his cause of death at the time of writing, after an autopsy was performed and was unable to make a determination.

Detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the incident at Coles or on Gregory Terrace to contact them on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.