Palmerston teen speaks publicly after Gray police shooting

A teenager who was shot at six times by police has spoken publicly for the first time since the critical incident.

UPDATE APR 1: A TEENAGER who was shot at six times by police has spoken publicly for the first time since the critical incident.

The 19-year-old from Palmerston, who has asked to be referred to as Big Brotha of 0830, said he was on the “road to recovery” after waking up from a 13-day coma.

The teenager remains in hospital, but is no longer in a critical condition.

Sitting in a wheelchair with his two younger brothers by his side, Big Brotha of 0830 thanked the community for their support.

“(I’m on the) road to recovery with my brother’s by my side,” the teenager said in a Twitter post.

“Thank you to everyone who has been thinking of me.”

💜Road to recovery with my brother’s by my side. Thank you to everyone who has been thinking of me.💜
- message from Big Brotha of 0830 pic.twitter.com/c7Gh32NuR6

— Uprising of the People (@up_rising_) March 31, 2022

The teenager broke his silence 23 days after he was shot at six times and had a taser fired at him by police on Tuesday March 8, after he allegedly brandished a spear at two officers at a Gray park.

Police have alleged the teenager ignored repeated warnings to drop the weapon, resulting in one officer deploying a taser around the same time as their partner pulled a lethal weapon and fired their gun six times in quick succession.

NT Police confirmed the actions of the two officers are under investigation.

A 19-year-old Palmerston teenager who was shot at by NT Police on March 8 has said he was on the "road to recovery". The young man in the wheelchair, referred to as Big Brotha of 0830, poses with his younger brothers.

Due to the ongoing investigation, police were unable to answer questions over the delay between the taser and firearm being used, how far away the teenager was from officers, how many bullets hit the young man or if any criminal or internal disciplinary actions will be taken.

In the wake of the shooting Assistant Commissioner Michael White said these elements would form part of the internal investigation.

“But it is evident that at that time, the offices were in danger and they exercised their decision to use deadly force,” Mr White alleged.

A NT Police General Order on Operational Safety and Use of Force obtained by the NT News states that lethal force was a “tactical option” to protect human life, but tasers remained an alternative to guns.

Body cam footage will form part of the investigation into the actions of the officers and the young man.

Police have refused to confirm if the 19-year-old will face criminal charges over the incident.

INITIAL MAR 22: A TEENAGER who was shot at six times and had a taser fired at him has woken up from his 13-day coma.

The family of the Palmerston 19-year-old said he remained in a critical but stable condition following the police shooting in Gray on Tuesday, March 8.

His family, who referred to the 19-year-old as Big Brotha of 0830, said their son, grandson, nephew and brother was awake after nearly a fortnight of unconsciousness.

“Thank you to the doctors and nurses in the intensive care unit for all your hard work and effort to look after our boy,” his family said in a statement.

Big Brotha of 0830’s family said they would be providing more updates when they were ready to speak.

UP will be providing all offical statements from the Family of 0830.

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Media/Journalists: message or email us with questions or comments. pic.twitter.com/9z1Bjys3iy

— Uprising of the People (@up_rising_) March 22, 2022

On Tuesday, NT Police confirmed the investigation was ongoing but did not provide further details about the circumstances around the police shooting.

Earlier this month, NT Police Assistant Commissioner Michael White said a male and female officer were responding to an unrelated incident on Tuesday morning when they were allegedly confronted with the teenager armed with a spear.

Mr White alleged the teenager raised the spear and attempted to throw it at one of the officers.

He alleged after repeated warnings, one officer deployed a taser around the same time as their partner pulled a lethal weapon and fired their gun six times in quick succession.

He said it was still unknown how many bullets actually hit the teenager, if the taser made contact, how far away he was from officers and how quickly the incident unfolded.

Police investigate blood on the footpath near where an alleged police shooting of a young Aboriginal man happen in Palmerston suburb of Gray. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Mr White confirmed both officers were wearing body-cameras, which captured the incident.

An NT Police General Order on Operational Safety and Use of Force obtained by the NT News stated that the use of a lethal force was a “tactical option” in order to protect human life.

“The NTPF (Northern Territory Police Force) philosophy on the use of force is that the amount of force used should not be unnecessary,” the 2017 in-confidence order said.

“Therefore the use of firearms is to be regarded as the option of last resort.

“Officers must have authorisation, justification or an excuse or their use of force actions could be considered unlawful.”

Police gather a street away from where an alleged police shooting of a young Aboriginal man happen in Palmerston suburb of Gray. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

By comparison tasers, or Electro-muscular Control Devices, “provide an alternative to lethal force in some situations”.

Mr White said external oversight bodies would review the use of the weapons by police.

Originally published as Palmerston teen speaks publicly after Gray police shooting