Stories from Alice Springs · Australia

Northern Territory Police said 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis has been released from medical care and deemed fit for custody. Lewis was taken to Alice Springs Hospital for treatment after being assaulted by locals on Thursday night. Angry community members subsequently besieged the hospital, throwing objects at police and torching a police vehicle. Lewis has since been transferred to a Darwin facility. The specific location of the Darwin facility remains undisclosed due to safety concerns. Police allege Lewis is responsible for the abduction and murder of a Komongi baby whose body was discovered on Thursday morning. He is expected to make a court appearance next week. Lewis faces two additional undisclosed offenses, according to the source.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led calls for calm in Alice Springs following a period of unrest. A police presence has been deployed to the town to help maintain a fragile peace arrangement. The source did not specify the exact cause of the initial unrest. The arrest triggered vigilante activity and street riots in the town. There are now multiple calls for inquiries into the incident.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Leah Finocchiaru announced the closure of bottle shops in Alice Springs today. The decision follows a crime spike and rioting in 2023. Take-away alcohol has been banned on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Police found the body of a girl, Kumanjai Little Baby, yesterday afternoon near the old-timers town camp. She and Mr. Lewis had disappeared on Saturday night.

Northern Territory Police have moved accused child killer Jefferson Lewis to Darwin for safety following overnight riots. Violence erupted outside a hospital in Alice Springs as rioters targeted frontline service workers. Protesters were observed throwing rocks and attempting to set a police vehicle on fire. Local residents and the community expressed emotion regarding the events of the past week. The scale of the unrest was described as, even in the presence of a Minister. Residents described the recent week of unrest as something never seen before in the town. Reza Adib, the partner of a former Queensland Premier, in connection to the incident. Senior Alia Wara and Michael Little addressed the situation, noting an understanding of the public's anger. The senator, described as a family member and vigilante in this instance, has been raising these issues throughout her political career.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to manage a crowd of angry people during an incident in Australia. Chaos reportedly occurred outside a hospital in Alice Springs where the suspect was being treated. The investigation into the death is ongoing. Approximately 400 people gathered outside Alice Springs Hospital yesterday in an attempt to reach him. Reports indicate he had sustained injuries prior to detention. Officers also reportedly sustained injuries during the detention process. Suspect Jefferson Lewis has been moved to Darwin due to high tensions surrounding his presence in Alice Springs. Authorities reported that police officers have been injured a number of times during the situation. The community expressed anger regarding the suspect's alleged actions. The transfer follows allegations of misconduct that have caused public anger.

The source described the situation in Alice Springs as a tragedy for all Australians. Hundreds of people from various backgrounds have gathered in Alice Springs to provide assistance. The impact is felt beyond the Indigenous community.

Coalition Senator Jacinta Numpah-Jimper Price described the death of a girl in Alice Springs as a national disgrace in an opinion piece for News Corp. The senator expressed understanding of the community's anger and frustration following the incident.

Protesters threw rocks, lit fires, and damaged cars during a demonstration in Central Australia. Police deployed rubber bullets and tear gas to manage the crowd. The incident occurred amid community grieving, with reports of calls for retribution under Aboriginal law. The individual, identified as Mr. Lewis, was flown to Darwin for safety and medical reasons. Lewis is expected to appear in court later. The incident involved rocks and other projectiles being thrown. Protesters clashed with Australian emergency services workers in a remote town. The unrest follows the arrest of a man suspected of murdering a five-year-old Indigenous girl. The girl was reported missing from her home on the outskirts of Alice Springs last Saturday. Her body was discovered in dense bushland outside the town.

Violence broke out in Alice Springs overnight following the arrest of Jefferson Lewis. Lewis is alleged to have abducted and murdered Kumunjayi Little Baby. Violent riots erupted outside Alice Springs Hospital on Thursday night following Lewis's arrest, during which two police officers were also seriously injured. The unrest was sparked by the murder of a child and the subsequent arrest of an alleged killer. Northern Territory police released CCTV footage documenting outright looting of businesses in Alice Springs. Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Doll said charges were laid against a man arrested in Alice Springs on Thursday. Lewis was flown to Darwin for court proceedings later this week after his arrest in Alice Springs triggered an outbreak of violence. Police noted the weapon used could create blunt force injuries.