No charges will be laid over the death in police custody of Kumanjayi White.
Mr White, a disabled 24-year-old Warlpiri man, died on May 27 last year after being restrained by two plain-clothed NT Police officers inside a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs.
On Tuesday, NT police said they had received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that no charges should be laid against the officers, a day before what would have been the first anniversary of Mr White's death.
The family were told of the outcome of the death in custody investigation and subsequent use-of-force inquiry by police, who flew to Mr White's mother's community of Lajamanu to inform them of the news.
Heartbroken and angry
In a statement reported by the ABC, the family said: "We have got no hope. When will we have our justice? How can we keep living like this?"
"Today the police turned up in Lajamanu with the acting director of public prosecutions and told the family that they are not proceeding with any charges.
"With hardly any notice, without asking permission, they just turned up in Lajamanu with their police plane.
"There was not time for anybody else to get here, as far as we know, they didn't tell the father's family — who are all in Alice Springs for sorry business for Kumanjayi Little Baby.
"We're heartbroken, we're angry
"We are going into blackout for a week — media, stay away from us, we're [not] giving you anything more. We are sick of bring treated unequally — Wajumpa."
No chance of prosecution - police
Police Commissioner Martin Dole told reporters on Tuesday the DPP formed the view there was "no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution".
"I acknowledge immediately that this outcome will cause significant distress, pain, and anger for Kumanjayi White's family, for many Aboriginal people across Central Australia and the Territory, and for members of the broader community," he said.
"While the decision not to proceed with charges was made based on the evidence and applicable legal thresholds, we recognise this outcome may be difficult for Kumanjayi White's family.
"A man lost his life. That fact remains at the centre of this matter, and it must never be lost in legal or procedural discussions."
Lengthy investigation
At the start of April, the DPP received a report reviewing the force used during the incident, compiled by an interstate police jurisdiction after being requested by NT Police in January.
Commissioner Dole told reporters NT Police were only made aware of the DPP's investigation yesterday.
After the press conference, a DPP spokesperson said they took several steps to ensure an independent and thorough assessment of the case, including commissioning an additional "use of force" report from an "independent interstate expert" after receiving the police brief.
In March, they engaged senior and junior counsel from interstate to provide independent legal advice.
"The independent expert report was received in early April 2026, and legal advice from counsel was provided at the end of April. The DPP then conducted a full review of all the evidence," the DPP said.
"After considering all available material, including the independent expert report and external legal advice, the DPP formed the view that there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.
"Decisions of this kind are made independently of government, based only on the evidence and the law. It is not appropriate to comment further on the specific evidence."
Lack of transparency
Mr White's family has long criticised the communication from NT Police and the Northern Territory Government, arguing the response would have been different had he not been Indigenous.
Authorities have still not explained how Mr White — who was under state guardianship and living in supported accommodation — died after being taken into police custody.
An initial police statement said only that officers had "restrained the adult male" before he "stopped breathing and CPR was commenced", without explaining how he lost consciousness.
Police also highlighted Mr White's alleged criminal history in the aftermath of his death, despite not having any chance of defending himself.
Mr Dole previously said the force does not "comment on individual officers involved", but confirmed last year the officers had been moved into non-operational, forward-facing administrative roles. On Tuesday, he said they were still fully employed by NT Police.
One of the officers connected to the events surrounding White's death — NT Police prosecutor Steven Haig — has continued to accept briefs, including prosecuting Mr White's father by kinship, Martin "Isaac" Jabarula White, in August last year.
