Rocks thrown at police vehicle, man injured during another large Wadeye disturbance

Rocks have been thrown at police vehicles as officers responded to another  large disturbance where various blunt and edged weapons were used in fighting in the Top End community of Wadeye.

ROCKS have been thrown at police vehicles as officers responded to another  large disturbance where various blunt and edged weapons were used in fighting in the Top End community of Wadeye.

NT Police said police received reports of a disturbance involving around 300 people gathered at an oval in the remote community about 5pm on Sunday.

One adult male received an arm injury and rocks were thrown at police vehicles as various blunt and edged weapons were used in the fighting, police said.

The injured 26-year-old-male was taken to the local clinic with non-life threatening injuries.

Chemical munitions were deployed by police to assist with crowd dispersal.

Senior Sergeant Bradley Fox said, “Investigations are ongoing to assist with the identification and removal of offenders from the community.

“Attacks on our officers as they protect the community will not be tolerated.”

Man, 18, charged with manslaughter

UPDATED: NT Police have charged an 18-year-old with manslaughter following the death of a 32-year-old, as unrest in the Wadeye community continues.Police allege the man was engaged in an altercation with the older man on April 16, with the 32-year-old suffering severe head injuries.

The 32-year-old died in Royal Darwin Hospital on Tuesday night.

The alleged offender was arrested in Wadeye on Tuesday and charged with serious harm, that charge was upgraded to manslaughter on Wednesday morning.

A 24-year-old injured in the community on the same evening remains in hospital, but no charges have been laid over the incident.

“Ongoing disputes between family groups in the community have seen additional police deployed, including crime detectives and general duties officers,” said Acting Superintendent Bradley Fox.

“Last night, after news of the death reached the community, disturbances escalated.

“A 23-year-old man was subsequently injured by a projectile, and several disused vehicles and other household items were set alight.”

No charges have been laid over the incident.

Police continue to engage with the Wadeye community with assistance of local government and key Aboriginal organisations in an effort to restore calm.

Two men seriously injured amid unrest

EARLIER: Two men have been seriously injured amid an alleged long-running clash between warring families in the Top End.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey confirmed a 24-year-old and a 32-year-old man were seriously injured during a disturbance in Wadeye on Saturday, April 16.

“Northern Territory Police have been and are continuing to work with community leaders to address ongoing disturbances between family groups in the region,” Detective Morrissey said.

He said the two men were taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.

Detective Morrissey said no charges had been laid and the investigation was ongoing.

The community unrest has been ongoing since late March, with police confirming additional officers had been sent to the community, 394km southwest of Darwin.

In early April, NT Police confirmed they had ramped up patrols in Wadeye to crack down on anti-social behaviour and community unrest.

Acting Superintendent Bradley Fox said additional resources were sent to the community “to restore calm”.

During the heightened unrest two officers were allegedly pelted with rocks by a group of men during the arrest of a 26-year-old suspect.

Supt. Fox said local police had made 18 arrests for anti-social behaviour over the past two weeks.

“Local police continue to engage with traditional owners and elders working towards resolving tensions in community,” he said.