Latest news with #DeathInCustody
The Guardian
08-06-2025
- The Guardian
Indigenous man dies in police custody in Northern Territory
An Indigenous man has died in police custody in the Northern Territory, the same day as hundreds protested in Sydney and Brisbane over the death of 24-year-old Indigenous man, Kumanjayi White, in Alice Springs last month. The Northern Territory police force said the 68-year-old man died in Royal Darwin hospital on Saturday, and they would investigate the death on behalf of the coroner. He was arrested on 30 May, after the Australian federal police received reports of the man being intoxicated and unable to board a flight out of Darwin at 1pm. He was taken into protective custody and initially conveyed to the Palmerston watchhouse. He was then transported to the Royal Darwin hospital for further assessment. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The police said the man lost consciousness on arrival at the hospital, with medical staff successfully performing CPR. He was transferred to an intensive care unit in a stable condition for a suspected medical event. The man died in the ICU on Saturday, with the cause of death undetermined, pending a postmortem examination. A spokesperson for the NT police said it is being investigated as a death in custody 'as the man was in the custody of the AFP at the time of him first losing consciousness'. Police confirmed the man is Aboriginal and his next of kin have been notified. The man's death happened the same day as hundreds protested in Sydney and Brisbane over the death of 24-year-old Indigenous man, Kumanjayi White, after being restrained by the police in the Northern Territory. Police alleged that the Warlpiri man was shoplifting when plainclothes officers stepped in to assist the store's security guard. The NT police 'respectfully' rejected a request from White's family that an inquiry independent of police be undertaken in 'a culturally safe manner', and there have been calls for the AFP to take over the investigation. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The Central Land Council had urged the federal government to withhold funding from the NT government until the family's demand for an independent inquiry was met. 'We don't trust this government and its police force to keep us safe,' said the CLC chair, Warren Williams, who is also White's uncle. Last week marked five years since tens of thousands defied Covid restrictions in Australia to march in Black Lives Matter protests across the country, calling for an end to Indigenous deaths in custody. Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support; or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
ABC News
01-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Crowds attend Sydney vigil for young Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White's death in custody
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the names of Indigenous people who have died, used with the permission of their families. Crowds have gathered at Sydney's town hall for a candlelit vigil in response to the death in custody of a young Warlpiri man in Alice Springs last week. The 24-year-old Yuendumu man — known now as Kumanjayi White — died on Tuesday after being restrained by police officers on a supermarket floor following an altercation. Kumanjayi White's family said the young man was vulnerable, had disabilities and was living away from his home community of Yuendumu because he required supported accommodation in Alice Springs. NT Police said plain-clothed officers responded after Kumanjayi White allegedly assaulted a security guard, who had confronted him about shoplifting in the store. His grandfather, Warlpiri elder Ned Jampjinpa Hargraves, said his jaja (grandson) had "needed support and not to be criminalised because of his disability". As Reconciliation Week draws to a close, those speaking at the event on Sunday evening said they wanted to bring First Nations people together to reflect on and mourn Kumanjayi White's death. Dunghutti man and activist Paul Silva said there should be a national spotlight on the systems that were continuing to fail First Nations people. Mr Silva is the nephew of David Dungay Jnr, who died in custody at Sydney's Long Bay Prison Hospital in 2015. "This man was vulnerable," Mr Silva said. "Tonight we mourn and we stand with his family and community. The incident involving Kumanjayi White is being investigated as a death in custody, with an initial autopsy on Wednesday finding the cause of death to be "undetermined". On Friday a vigil for Kumanjayi White was held in Alice Springs and later that afternoon NT Police rejected calls for an independent investigation. Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said he was leading the police investigation and would "provide oversight" along with NT Police's Professional Standards Command.
