Police update: Arrest – Community unrest at Wadeye

Northern Territory Police have arrested and charged a 19-year-old man with violence offences after an assault in the remote community of Wadeye yesterday.

Around 9am, police received reports that an 18-year-old man was struck in the calf with an arrow, allegedly fired from a compound bow.

A 19-year-old was arrested a short time later and has since been charged with:

  • Reckless endanger life
  • Aggravated assault
  • Go armed in public
  • Threats to kill

He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

Commander Brendan Muldoon said “We are expecting to lay further charges against this individual for offending that occurred last year.

“There is no place within our communities for this sort of violence and the use of weapons such as these is incredibly reckless. It’s lucky the victim wasn’t more seriously injured.

“Police will be attending further community meetings today in regards to the ongoing unrest we have seen in the region.

“Managing the fighting, domestic violence, and supply of illicit substances in the Victoria/Daly River Regions requires the entire region to come together and work on solutions. Police will continue to meet with the community, Traditional Owners, Elders and other government agencies to bring about an end to the behaviour we have been responding to.”

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