Article Summary
A 24-year-old disabled Indigenous man died after being restrained by police inside a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when store staff reported the man allegedly placing food items in his clothing. Witnesses claim he stopped breathing while still on the ground, despite emergency efforts from paramedics. The Northern Territory Police have confirmed that body-worn camera footage has been secured and that the matter is now being investigated by the Northern Territory Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
What This Means for You
- Incidents of police restraint can have severe consequences, especially when individuals have disabilities or other health issues.
- It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to have transparent and independent investigation processes in place to ensure accountability.
- The use of body-worn cameras can provide valuable evidence, but it is essential to have clear guidelines for their usage and safeguards against misuse.
- Community-controlled and culturally safe support systems are vital to prevent similar incidents in the future.
24-year-old disabled Indigenous man dies after police restraint inside Alice Springs supermarket
Witnesses say he stopped breathing while still on the ground. Despite emergency efforts from paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A coronial inquest has also been announced.
“He was disabled and on the NDIS. He was hungry. He was under state guardianship – under the care and protection of the Minister. And it was the state that killed him,” said Debbie Kilroy, a leading prison abolition advocate with the Network.
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