14 teenagers charged with arson, assault police, and riot over Don Dale blaze

Fourteen young people have been charged over the alleged Don Dale riot, which resulted in sections of the children’s prison being shut down. See the full list of charges.

Fourteen teenagers have been charged over the alleged riot at the infamous Don Dale detention Centre.

NT Police confirmed 12 boys and two girls had been charged with a total of 79 charges following the incident, in which several fires were allegedly lit in the children’s prison.

It has been almost three weeks since police were involved in the 17-hour standoff outside the infamous youth detention centre on Wednesday April 3.

The 14 teenagers, aged between 13 and 17, allegedly took part in the riot, where children reportedly climbed on the roof, lit fires and threw projectiles, resulting in a police officer suffering an injured leg.

NT Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to a reported riot in which fires were lit at Don Dale Detention Centre on Wednesday, April 3. Picture: Zizi Averill

Territory Families Minister Ngaree Ah Kit previously said the critical incident started as a conflict between teenagers in the Tivendale classroom at 2.30pm, which quickly escalated forcing Youth Justice Officers to retreat.

Fires were reported at 5pm, two and a half hours after cops initially attended the scene.

The young people allegedly accessed secure areas of the prison and climbed on the roof, with six teens remaining there for more than 12 hours.

NT Police said the fires were contained to just one of the buildings.

This was the first time in three years that police have been required to attend Don Dale.

While NT police have claimed no children suffered injuries, AAP has reported that one teenage girl injured her wrist jumping off the roof.

Thirty other teenagers who were not involved in the alleged riot were also locked in the children’s prison while it burned.

NT Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to a reported riot in which fires were lit at Don Dale Detention Centre on Wednesday, April 3. Picture: Zizi Averill

All 14 of the teenagers have been charged with engaging in riot and property damage, with others also charged with arson, assault worker and endangering occupants of a vehicle.

NT Police did not provide court dates for any of the children.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics confirmed the facility had been “made safe”, although some parts were not operational as of last Wednesday.

“Damage assessments, including to that of any essential systems, infrastructure and security at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre continue,” a spokesman said.

He said it was too early to determine all costs or timelines for any repairs.

FULL LIST OF CHARGES

1. 16 year old boy: Engage in riot, six counts of arson, assault police, aggravated assault and damage property

2. 17 year old boy: Engage in riot, two counts of arson, two counts of assault police, aggravated assault and damage property

3. 14 year old boy: Engage in riot, five counts of arson, four counts of assault worker, aggravated assault, damage property and endangering occupants of a vehicle

4. 16 year old boy: Engage in riot, two counts of arson, assault police and damage property

5. 13 year old boy: Engage in riot, four counts of arson, two counts of assault worker, and damage property

6. 13 year old boy: Engage in riot, arson, two counts of assault worker, and damage property

7. 15 year old boy: Engage in riot, arson, two counts of assault worker, four counts of assault police, and damage property

8. 16 year old boy: Engage in riot, arson, assault worker, assault police, and damage property

9. 17 year old boy: Engage in riot, arson, and damage property

10. 15 year old boy: Engage in riot, three counts of arson, and damage property

11. 17 year old boy: Engage in riot and damage property

12. 14 year old boy: Engage in riot, assault worker and damage property

13. 15 year old girl: Engage in riot and damage property

14. 16 year old girl: Engage in riot and damage property

Originally published as 14 teenagers charged with arson, assault police, and riot over Don Dale blaze