NT police won’t be charged over Kumanjayi White’s death as Lidia Thorpe criticises lack of justice
NT police will not charge officers over Kumanjayi White’s death in an Alice Springs Coles, prompting grief and renewed calls for accountability.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Northern Territory police say prosecutors found no reasonable prospect of a successful case against officers involved in the death of Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man who died while being restrained in a Coles supermarket. The decision has deepened anger among his family, Aboriginal leaders and senator Lidia Thorpe, who say it shows a failure of justice.
A man named Kumanjayi White died after police held him down in a shop. Police leaders later said they will not charge the officers because prosecutors did not think a court case would likely succeed.
That upset his family and many Aboriginal people. It is a bit like when a school says it will not punish someone after a serious accident, even though many people still want answers.
Now there will still be a separate coronial investigation. That means another official process will look at what happened and why.
Analysis
What happened
Northern Territory police commissioner Martin Dole said the department of police prosecutions would not lay charges over the death of Kumanjayi White, who died in an Alice Springs Coles in May 2025 while being restrained by police. Dole said the decision followed a thorough investigation and a brief of evidence sent to the director of public prosecutions. The DPP concluded there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.
What the police say
Police say White was suspected of shoplifting and that plainclothes officers intervened after an altercation with a security guard. Dole acknowledged the result would cause significant distress for White’s family and for many Aboriginal people across Central Australia and the NT. NT police also said CCTV and other evidence will be part of the mandatory coronial investigation, which will happen later.
Reaction and wider context
White’s death has already triggered outrage, rallies and repeated calls for an independent investigation. His family is suing NT police, alleging two officers acted unlawfully when they apprehended him and took him into custody. Senator Lidia Thorpe responded with sharp criticism, saying there was "no justice" and arguing there has been too little accountability in deaths in custody.
The case lands in an already tense period for Central Australia, with police and community leaders noting recent grief and unrest in the region. The outcome is likely to keep pressure on NT authorities over how police deaths in custody are investigated, how families are informed, and whether the system is trusted to hold officers to account.
Key points
- NT police said prosecutors would not lay charges over Kumanjayi White’s death.
- Police said the decision followed a thorough investigation and a review of available evidence.
- White’s family and supporters say the outcome shows a lack of justice and accountability.
- Lidia Thorpe criticised the decision and linked it to broader deaths in custody concerns.
- A coronial investigation is expected later, and a court hearing is due next month.
