By Emma Young
Police riot squads have been pelted with rocks and bottles outside Kalgoorlie Courthouse, which has been forced into lockdown as tensions boil over after the alleged manslaughter of a 14-year-old Indigenous boy.
Teenager Elijah Doughty died on Monday morning after the scooter he was riding, which was reported stolen on Sunday and was linked to the accused, was involved in a crash with the 55-year-old accused's Nissan Navara.
According to reporters on the scene, a crowd of about 200 people armed with rocks and bottles have broken the gates at the court and surrounded police sent to calm the situation. The police, heavily outnumbered and are using pepper spray and riot shields to defend themselves.
Shopkeepers along the town's main road, Hannan Street, were forced to shut their businesses.
The flashpoint between rioters and police has shut down Hannan Street.Credit: John Wibberley/ABC
"A little scary to say the least," a bystander said on Facebook.
"I'm currently locked in a coffee shop."
"A protest mob have smashed up court windows, people running around with knives and wrenches, hiding weapons under cars. It's seriously f---ed out there," said another.
"Witnessed an old fella pull a bunch of weapons from out the back of his ute and look me dead in the eye so I took off."
Police are surrounded in Kalgoorlie.
Tensions began building early in the morning, with Aboriginal people carrying signs calling for 'justice' and saying that "the lives of our kids matter".
As more police arrived, the more aggravated the crowd became, Seven News reporter Monique Dirksz told Radio 6PR from the scene.
The situation is volatile in Boulder.Credit: Nine News Perth
"This is absolutely out of control," she said.
"I was standing next to a young man who has just thrown a glass bottle at a police officer's face ... he has blood under his eye, dripping down his face.
"The riot squad is here ... their shields are up, they are pushing the crowd back with batons drawn, threatening anyone who moves towards them; they are being pelted with bottles and anyone who gets close is being pepper-sprayed.
"They are surrounded... police dogs are here, the police are in the middle of the street, there is a crowd of Indigenous people surrounding about 20 police officers surrounded by shields, they are absolutely outnumbered, I am not sure how this is going to go down.
"People next to me are pulling up bricks from the footpath and breaking them up."
WA Police released a statement via social media saying they understood there was "significant community concern" over the events and that the investigation was ongoing.
"WA Police has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the entire community and will actively police the current situation," they said.
"Aboriginal leaders are working closely with the WA Police.
"We respect everyone's right to express their opinions on this page; however, comments that are racist, and offensive comments, will be deleted."
A courthouse spokeswoman confirmed the accused's lawyer was granted permission to appear on his behalf and the matter had been adjourned. The accused will now appear via video link at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court in Perth on Wednesday morning.
The spokeswoman said measures had been put in place to ensure all the people in the court were safe.
"The Magistrates Court hopes to resume its caseload as soon as possible today," she said.
"A full inquiry will be held into the circumstances of this morning's disturbance."
Elijah, a well loved community member and local football team player, celebrated his 14th birthday only on Sunday, according to the Kalgoorlie Miner.
His aunt told the Miner his death was the third in the family in the past few weeks.
She called Elijah a "bit of a prankster" but one who respected his elders and cared for his family.
"He survived all circumstances he found himself in and was a beautiful brother to the sisters he protected," she said.
Tensions have been growing within the Kalgoorlie community recently over what locals believe is a rising level of petty crime, mostly property-related offences.
One closed Facebook group is encouraging people to "name and shame" offenders, with posters speaking of vengeance and using violent language.
Earlier in the year, following news of 49 students being suspended from one high school over a few weeks, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor John Bowler called for corporal punishment to be reintroduced.
The Mayor had been elected last October promising to tackle anti-social behaviour.