Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this contains images and names of a deceased person.
The suspected killer of a five-year-old girl in the Northern Territory has been charged with her murder.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, was arrested on Thursday night over the alleged murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby days after she was last seen by her family at their home at Old Timers Camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs on Saturday evening.
The young girl’s body was found near the banks of the Todd River, just 5km south of her home earlier that day.
On Sunday, NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said they had charged Mr Lewis with murder and Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family has been informed.
He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.
“This has been an extensive and detailed investigation and our detectives have been working around the clock for this outcome,” Mr Dole told reporters.
“This matter is now before the courts, and as a result, it would be inappropriate for the police to provide further comment, or discuss in detail the events,” he says.
“I would ask that the community respect the judicial process, and I would also ask that the community continue to respect the family, as they continue to process their grief and sorrow.”
He said the case had been “deeply distressing”.
“This remains a deeply distressing matter, and our thoughts are firmly with Kumanjayi’s family, loved ones, and the wider community that have been deeply impacted by these events,” he said.
Following Mr Lewis’ arrest on Thursday night, about 400 people rioted outside the Alice Springs Hospital where he was being treated for serious injuries.
He was later transferred to Darwin.
NT Police have also released footage of the rioting and say people will be charged.
“What you will see in this footage is not people processing grief in relation to the death of baby Kumanjayi,” Mr Dole said.
“What you will see is not people trying to practise traditional law.
“What you will see is criminal behaviour, plain and simple.
“It’s abhorrent, it’s disgusting, and it will not be tolerated or accepted by the Northern Territory Police.”
Five people have now been arrested over the riot, where a service station and supermarket allegedly sustained about $80,000 in damages and an estimated $105,000 in property lost,
“Following a review into CCTV and media outlet footage, five people aged 18, 26, 34, 46 and 49 have all been arrested and remain in custody with charges expected to follow,” an NT Police statement said.
“Further offenders have been identified, and multiple arrests are expected to be made in coming days.”
