NAAJA, its staff and Board expresses our condolences for the family, loved ones and the community of Yuendumu at the tragic news of the Police shooting and death of a 19-year-old Aboriginal teenager. 

Priscilla Atkins, Chief Executive Officer of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, said, “Our thoughts at this time are with family and their loss and pain at the heart breaking death of this young man who had the whole of his life ahead of him.’ 

We understand the community distress and anger at this time given the lack of communication and engagement by Police on the evening, including disturbing reports that the Aboriginal Community Police Officer was locked out of the Yuendumu Police Station. NAAJA lends its full support to the people of Yuendumu. 

There must be a full and thorough investigation into the tragic and unnecessary death of a teenager at his family’s home. 

David Woodroffe, Principal Legal Officer of NAAJA, said, “The investigation of the Police shooting in Yuendumu must be open, thorough and transparent and one that informs the family and community. It is necessary to leave no question unanswered as to the police shooting and as to why there was no access to timely medical treatment. ’ 

NAAJA expects that the independent coronial investigation into the death in custody to be immediate and exhaustive.