Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Man dies after brawl in Top End community
A man has died after a brawl between rival families in the remote Northern Territory Indigenous community of Wadeye, 400km southwest of Darwin.
April 20, 2022
A man has died after a brawl in a remote Northern Territory Indigenous community, with news of his death triggering a fresh outbreak of violence.
Another man was injured and vehicles were set alight on Tuesday night in Wadeye, 400km southwest of Darwin, amid an ongoing feud between rival families.
Police say the 32-year-old died in Royal Darwin Hospital earlier on Tuesday after he sustained serious head injuries in a fight with another man on Saturday.
“Last night, after news of the death reached the community, disturbances escalated,” acting Superintendent Bradley Fox said.
“A 23-year-old man was subsequently injured by a projectile, and several disused vehicles and other household items were set alight.”
It comes as Ezekiel Narndu, 18, appeared in the Darwin Local Court on Wednesday charged with manslaughter over the man’s death.
He wasn’t required to enter a plea and his case was adjourned to April 28 when his lawyer, Hugo Atkinson, said the teen would apply for bail.
Additional police, including crime detectives and general duties officers, have been sent to Wadeye amid the ongoing dispute between the family groups.
The NT government, the local council and key Aboriginal organisations are also negotiating with the community in a bid to restore calm.
A 24-year-old man was also injured in Wadeye on Saturday night and remains in hospital.
Wadeye is one of the largest indigenous communities in the NT with a population of about 2200 people.