Violent riots broke out in Alice Springs, Australia, when an angry mob surrounded a hospital and clashed with police, intending to apply traditional "payback" justice against the suspect in the murder of a 5-year-old Indigenous girl.
Tensions escalated in Alice Springs, central Australia, on the night of Thursday, 30 Apr 2020 GMT+7, after police confirmed the arrest of Jefferson Lewis, the suspect in the murder of the 5-year-old Indigenous girl, temporarily named "Kumanjayi Little Baby" with the family's consent. The use of "Kumanjayi" is an Indigenous Australian custom to avoid directly naming the deceased during mourning periods.
The girl went missing from the Indigenous "Old Timers" camp on the previous Saturday night, prompting a large-scale search on foot, horseback, and by helicopter, watched closely by many residents. On Thursday, authorities found her lifeless body in bushes about 5 kilometers from the camp.
After news of the discovery spread, Lewis, the suspect who had been released from prison just six days earlier, surrendered to Indigenous community members but was beaten unconscious on the spot. Police and emergency responders then intervened to rescue him and took him to the hospital.
Upon learning that the suspect was hospitalized in Alice Springs, over 200 people gathered to surround the building, attempting to enter and carry out traditional "Payback" retribution as practiced by Indigenous communities.
The crowd threw objects at officials and tried to set police vehicles on fire, leading police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. The violence resulted in multiple injuries among police and emergency personnel, including one firefighter who sustained serious facial injuries.
Martin Dol, Commander of the Northern Territory Police, called the violent behavior "unacceptable," confirming that Lewis had been transferred to detention in Darwin for his safety and that serious charges would be filed soon. He also announced a manhunt for community members who may have aided or harbored the suspect during his escape.
The girl’s grandfather and a senior member of the Warlpiri ethnic group issued a statement urging the community to remain calm: "This is a time of mourning to honor the family and pay respects to our granddaughter. We must allow the justice process to take its course."
The girl’s body is currently undergoing a detailed autopsy to determine the cause of death, amid the grief of hundreds of volunteers and officials who had searched for her over the past five days.
The use of the name "Kumanjayi" is an Indigenous Australian custom to avoid directly naming the deceased during periods of mourning.