Police Investigate Death in Custody of Aboriginal Man in Alice Springs

A 24-year-old Aboriginal man died in police custody in Alice Springs after being restrained by two plain-clothes officers following an altercation with a security guard at a Coles supermarket. The man was reportedly placing items down his clothing and behaved aggressively, leading to his restraint; he subsequently lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Despite CPR and emergency response, he was pronounced dead at Alice Springs Hospital. The incident is being treated as a death in custody, with a crime scene established and investigations led by major crime detectives on behalf of the coroner. Police have expressed condolences to the family and noted the emotional impact on officers and security personnel involved, also providing welfare support. This case underscores ongoing concerns about deaths in custody and the need for thorough investigations into such incidents.