Arabic version: عائلة كومانجاي وايت تعبر عن رد فعلها بعد عدم توجيه أي تهم ضد الضباط

The family of Kumanjayi White expressed their heartbreak after learning that no charges will be laid against the police officers involved in his death in custody. According to ABC News, Northern Territory Police concluded their criminal investigation following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), stating there were no reasonable prospects for a successful prosecution.

Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man with disabilities, died after being restrained by police at a Coles supermarket in the Alice Springs CBD on May 27, 2025. His family received the news during a visit to Lajamanu, where police informed them of the investigation’s outcome. The family described their feelings of grief and anger, stating they felt treated unequally and expressed their frustration over the lack of communication regarding the investigation’s conclusion.

In a statement, they lamented, “We have got no hope. When will we have our justice? How can we keep living like this?” They also noted the timing of the police visit was insensitive, as many family members were engaged in cultural grieving for another relative.

The DPP clarified that the decision not to prosecute was made after a thorough and independent investigation, which included an expert report and legal advice from outside the territory. NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole acknowledged that the outcome would be distressing for White’s family and many in the Aboriginal community, emphasizing that the loss of life remains central to the issue.

The coronial investigation into Kumanjayi White’s death is ongoing, with a directions hearing scheduled for next month. Police have confirmed that both officers involved in the incident are still active members of the NT Police Force. The community continues to seek answers and clarity regarding the circumstances of White’s death.