Hundreds have gathered for a vigil outside a Coles supermarket in Mparntwe/Alice Springs where a 24-year-old disabled Warlpiri man died in police custody earlier this week.
The man, who was under state care and reportedly living in supported accommodation, died on Tuesday after being restrained by two plain-clothed officers following an alleged altercation with a security guard.
His death has sparked grief and outrage in both the Northern Territory and beyond, prompting calls for an independent investigation and reigniting national concern over the treatment of First Nations people by police.
The ABC reported senior Warlpiri Elder Robin Granites Japanagka spoke to those gathered and urged those at the supermarket on Tuesday to come forward.
"Those people who was surrounded by him and the police at this very place… everything needs to be told in a truth way," he said.
"If it's in your language, talk to us, we will interpret."
The grandfather of the 24-year-old, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, helped organise the vigil.
Writing on the JusticeforWalker Instagram page, Mr Hargraves said he is "devastated by the death of my Jaja (grandson), another Warlpiri man who has had his life taken at the hands of the NT police".
"I will be going to pay my respects for my Jaja tomorrow at midday, at the location he was taken from us," the statement read.
"Please join me in solidarity, to mourn, to remember him, and to give me strength."
The statement added: "You can bring flowers, and candles, but your presence is most important."
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The Warlpiri man with connections to the Yuendumu community died after being "taken to the ground" by the officers, with a witness to the incident claiming the officer's "knee was behind his head".
Court documents revealed by NT News showed he was previously found unfit to stand trial due to mental impairment and placed on a non-custodial supervision order.
Advocates say his death reflects the systemic failure of the justice and disability support systems.
The man is the eighth Indigenous person to die in custody this year and the 593rd since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. No one has ever been convicted in relation to those deaths.
Mr Hargraves previously said his Jaja was "living away from his community, in town, in supported accommodation because of his disabilities, and he was very vulnerable".
Police say they "restrained the adult male" after an altercation with a security guard at an Alice Springs Coles; however, the male "stopped breathing and CPR was commenced".
They have not explained how restraining somebody can lead to their death, what restraint they used, or what the meaning of "placed on the ground" means.
The NT's chief forensic pathologist has completed an autopsy but found the cause of death "undetermined," with further investigation now underway.
Assistant Police Commissioner Travis Wurst says he will lead the investigation to "provide oversight," along with NT Police's Professional Standards Command. He said this would "ensure it's done independently and transparently".
However, many - including family members - have argued this is not at arm's length. They have called for an immediate release of that body-cam footage and for the investigation to be conducted by an independent body not connected to the NT Police.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy told ABC an independent investigation into the man's death could be the best path forward.
She said the Yuendumu community, which is preparing for the inquest findings into the 2019 police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, had already experienced "many traumas", and wounds would have been reopened this week.
"In the interest of having some separation, calls for an independent investigation may be warranted, it may be important to do that, given that there is such tension," she said.
She called on Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, who, it was reported by Thursday, had still not contacted family, to "recognise the tensions that do exist, that I've certainly heard from family members, but also are very aware of the difficulties for members of the police force as well".
"This may be an opportune time to have something different, to provide that separation and clarity," the NT Senator said.
