WARNING: This story contains reference to, and images of, an Indigenous person who has died.
Violence has erupted in Alice Springs following the death of a five-year-old girl, prompting the relocation of accused murderer Jefferson Lewis.
Emergency service personnel were injured during the riots that broke out at a hospital overnight where Mr Lewis was believed to be.
The child, whose mother has requested she be referred to as “Kumanjayi Little Baby”, was last seen on Saturday night. Her disappearance prompted one of the largest searches in the Northern Territory in recent history.
On Thursday, a body was found about 5km from where she went missing.
The discovery followed five days of intense searching by police, emergency services personnel and community volunteers.
Police believe the body to be that of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
Police identified Jefferson Lewis, who was allegedly last seen holding hands with Kumanjayi Little Baby, as a person of interest.
Mr Lewis made himself known to community members about 10.30pm on Thursday after an intensive search by authorities for the 47-year-old.
Man believed ‘unconscious’ at time of arrest
NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said Mr Lewis had been assaulted prior to his arrest.
“My understanding is that he identified himself to community members (at the town camp), after intense pressure and media pressure calling for him to make himself known,” Commissioner Dole said.
“We had several calls that he was being assaulted at that time and we turned up and intervened in that assault and took him into custody.
“It’s my understanding at that time he was unconscious.
“Our police officers were attacked at that time, as were the St John Ambulance crew that attended to assist, they were turned on by about 200 people.”
“They were able to get out of there and get Mr Lewis to hospital and then we saw about 400 people, angry people, gather at the Alice Springs Hospital and try and get inside and get to Jefferson Lewis.
“We deployed all of the police resources available to that Alice Springs Hospital and we ensured that didn’t occur, and nobody got to him.”
Commissioner Dole told ABC Radio Alice Springs that the riots outside of the hospital involved people yelling expletives, throwing rocks and weapons, and damaging vehicles.
“Four ambulances out of the five ambulances in Alice Springs were damaged, making them inoperable,” he said.
A police car was also set alight during the event and several people were injured.
Tear gas and rubber bullets were used in attempt to disperse the crowd.
Commissioner Dole said those injured included two St John Ambulance officers and one member of the Fire and Rescue emergency service.
He said the attacks on emergency services personnel and outbreak of violence was “not acceptable”.
“This community has pulled together and it’s walked shoulder to shoulder in the search for Kumanjayi Little Baby,” he said.
“And the violent outpouring that we saw last night — the attacks on police and emergency services personnel, not only is it not acceptable, but it’s not reflective of what we’ve seen of the last five days.”
‘Safety concerns’ prompt move
Citing “safety concerns”, Commissioner Dole said Mr Lewis was transferred to Darwin about 3.30am on Friday.
“Safety concerns for the hospital and medical staff, safety concerns for the police and lastly safety concerns for Mr Lewis himself,” he said.
“Our police swear an oath to serve and protect, we don’t get to choose who we protect, so the safety of Mr Lewis was important as well.”
Having been given the all-clear by health professionals, Mr Lewis will be taken into custody in the capital.
It is understood charges could be laid as soon as Friday.
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