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Northern Territory police will not lay charges against the officers involved in the death of Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man who died while being restrained in an Alice Springs supermarket in 2025, according to multiple sources including the ABC and The Guardian.

The decision, announced by NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole on Tuesday, comes a year after White died in the confectionery aisle of a Coles supermarket on 27 May 2025. Dole said prosecutors had advised there were no reasonable prospects of criminal convictions against either officer, citing a lack of available evidence after a thorough investigation.

Coverage comparison

Reports from the ABC and The Guardian closely aligned on the core facts: no charges will be laid, the family's reaction, and the commissioner's statement. Two ABC articles offered complementary details — one focusing on the family's grief and anger, and the other on the police investigation and the medically undetermined cause of death. The Guardian, while covering the same decision, also highlighted the family's civil lawsuit and broader community outrage.

All reports quoted Commissioner Dole directly, and all noted that the case has been referred to the coronial process. The ABC further revealed that Queensland police provided an additional review of the use of force, deeming it appropriate — a detail not initially reported by The Guardian.

Key claims

  • No charges laid: The NT Department of Police Prosecutions declined to lay charges against the two officers involved, as announced by Commissioner Dole and reported by all sources.
  • Cause of death undetermined: The cause of Kumanjayi White's death remains "equivocal" and "unspecific," according to Commissioner Dole, with a coronial inquest to examine the matter fully.
  • Family's response: White's family released a statement saying they are "heartbroken" and "angry," asking "When will we have our justice?" They are also suing NT police, alleging the officers acted unlawfully.
  • Use-of-force review: Queensland police conducted an additional review of the use of force, which was deemed appropriate, per Commissioner Dole.
  • Broader context: White's death sparked vigils and protests across Australia, with calls for independent investigations and accountability for Indigenous deaths in custody.

Perspectives

The family of Kumanjayi White expressed profound grief and frustration, stating they have "no hope" and are seeking justice. Commissioner Dole acknowledged the decision would cause "significant distress, pain and anger" for the family and Aboriginal communities, while maintaining that the investigation was thorough and fair.

The Guardian highlighted community outrage and the wider issue of Indigenous deaths in custody, noting that the case drew national attention and echoes from federal MP Marion Scrymgour. The ABC, as the public broadcaster, provided detailed coverage of both the police perspective and the family's emotional response.

While all sources agree on the decision not to prosecute, the framing differs: the ABC emphasized the unresolved medical cause and the commissioner's explanation, while The Guardian placed greater emphasis on the family's legal action and the broader social context of the case.

This article was compiled from reports by the ABC and The Guardian. The full texts were not independently reviewed, and additional details may exist in the original articles.