In Brief
The suspect in murder of a 5-year-old was airlifted to Darwin after crowds stormed an Alice Springs hospital.Elders say the unrest in Alice Springs was tied to deeper trauma and a lack of support for people leaving prison.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story includes the name and image of an Indigenous person who has passed away.
This article may be distressing to some readers.
An outback town is exhausted and heartbroken after a young girl’s death and a chaotic night triggered an accused murderer’s evacuation, an Elder says.
The body of a girl who police say is believed to be that of the missing child was discovered at around midday on Thursday by police approximately 5km from where she disappeared on Sunday.
Her family have asked for her to be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby.
Tributes, including toys, stuffed animals, eucalyptus leaves, and candles, were placed for Kumanjayi Little Baby near her residence in Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs. Source: SBS News
Jefferson Lewis, 47, was airlifted to Darwin after members of a town camp attacked him then tried to storm an Alice Springs hospital on Thursday night, where he was taken following his arrest. About 400 people assembled outside the hospital as news of the arrest spread.
A smaller group within the crowd set alight a police car and damaged other police vehicles and ambulances. Bins and vegetation were set on fire; nearby businesses were damaged. One woman was arrested for allegedly attempting to set a police car on fire; further charges are expected.
Aboriginal Elder Michael Liddle said the unrest was an explosion of rage that ignored the consequences and undermined the community’s united response to the girl’s disappearance.
“What took place yesterday was an incident of anger that turned into violence that had no thinking about the consequence,” the Alyawarre man told reporters on Friday.
“All week, the community of Alice Springs come together … searching for a little lady, a little baby that was taken by a monster, and that hard work was undone last night by some people who are very angry with the systems.”
Four ambulances were taken off the road and crews went into lockdown for about five hours as the unrest escalated outside Alice Springs hospital.
“If you had a bleed out or you had a heart attack in that time, you couldn’t call the ambulances,” Liddle said.
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The family of the deceased girl called for calm, asking people to let justice take its course.
“What has happened this week is not our way,” senior Warlpiri elder and family spokesman Robin Granites said in a statement.
“Our children are precious — of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.
“It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering.”
Legal consequences for those involved
Police are looking for people involved in the violence on Thursday night, where four out of the five St John ambulances were damaged.
Northern Territory police commissioner Martin Dole told reporters the behaviour that resulted in the injury of ambulance officers and a fire and rescue officer “cannot be explained away, excused or accepted”.
“Last night, the Northern Territory police apprehended Jefferson Lewis. During that apprehension, our police were assaulted. Ambulance officers were assaulted,” Dole said.
He added that anyone involved in violence would face legal consequences and that a woman had been arrested for attempted arson while trying to set a police vehicle on fire.
A police car is set alight during unrest at the Alice Springs Hospital, where the suspect in the death of the 5-year-old girl was taken after his arrest. Source: AAP / Rhett Hammerton
Police were also looking for people they believed sheltered Lewis over recent days.
Elder Warren Williams said residents in the town were devastated and fearful.
“At the moment, I feel devastated by what happened all this week,” he said.
But Liddle warned that violence risked inflaming the situation and distorting cultural practices.
He said the unrest was tied to deeper trauma and a lack of support for people leaving prison.
Lewis allegedly abducted the little girl just six days after being released from prison.
A spokesperson for Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family has urged the community to focus on grieving and Sorry Business during what is a difficult time. Source: SBS News
Despite the chaos, Liddle said the town’s response when the little girl went missing showed its true character.
Almost 200 people scoured tough terrain around Alice Springs for the child before a body was found on day five of the search.
“With all the sadness that Alice Springs community is enduring … it just really shows the coming of people and the strength in the community and support,” Liddle said.
Lewis remained in custody and police confirmed a prosecution will proceed.
Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, visit lifeline.org.au. Resources for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can be found at Headspace: Yarn Safe.
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