Violence in Alice Springs after arrest of man over girl's murder
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Violence erupted outside an Alice Springs hospital where Jefferson Lewis, suspected of murdering five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, was being treated; police used tear gas to control a crowd of about 400 Aboriginal people demanding "payback."
- The girl, last seen at an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs, was found dead on Thursday, prompting widespread grief and anger in the community.
- Several police and emergency service members were injured during the unrest, with police vehicles damaged, though no arrests have been made related to the violent disorder.
- Lewis, who was released from prison six days before the girl's disappearance, has been flown to Darwin and is in police custody pending charges expected to be laid soon.
- Authorities continue forensic tests to confirm the girl's identity and cause of death, while the community mourns and officials acknowledge the extensive search efforts by police and volunteers.
