Police in Australia’s Northern Territory have charged 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis with murder in the killing of five-year-old Indigenous girl Kumanjayi Little Baby, whose body was found on Thursday after a days-long search.

Police Commissioner Martin Dole described the incident as a “horrific event” and expressed condolences to the family. Lewis was arrested on Saturday evening and is due to appear in court in Darwin on Tuesday.

The girl’s death sparked protests by about 400 Indigenous people near Alice Springs on Thursday night, with clashes erupting as the crowd demanded the suspect be handed over for vigilante justice. Police used tear gas to disperse the rioters.

The girl disappeared from an Indigenous community camp, prompting a massive search by foot, horseback, and helicopter. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the tragedy “the outcome we were all desperately hoping against.”

Robin Granites, an elder of the Warlpiri group, said it was “time for sorry business” and grieving. Australia has long struggled with reconciliation with its Indigenous people, who make up 3.8% of the population and face systemic discrimination, poor health and education outcomes, and high incarceration rates.

Source: www.aljazeera.com