Arabic version: فتح تحقيقات بعد وفاة رجل من السكان الأصليين أثناء احتجازه في أديلايد

According to ABC News, South Australian Police are investigating the death of a 23-year-old Aboriginal man who became unresponsive during an arrest in Adelaide’s CBD. Police were called to the Elephant and Castle Hotel car park on West Terrace just after 4:15pm on Thursday following reports of damaged vehicles and two people fighting.

Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said officers received reports that one person was aggressive and potentially armed with a knife. Two experienced officers found a man in the hotel driveway holding a piece of wood or a stick, which he dropped when directed by police, Parrott said. Police said the man resisted arrest, a struggle followed and he allegedly threatened to stab officers and attempted to bite them.

Two further officers assisted in restraining and handcuffing the man, according to Parrott. He said the physical struggle lasted minutes and the man became unresponsive shortly after being handcuffed. Officers immediately gave assistance and began CPR, but the man died at the scene. Parrott said no taser or other equipment was used.

SA Police’s Major Crime Investigation branch is preparing a report for the coroner. A Police Commissioner’s Inquiry and an Ethical and Professional Standards Branch investigation, overseen by the Office of Public Integrity, are also under way. Parrott said the internal investigation would be treated with “the utmost importance”.

Police said the man’s family in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands had been notified. The incident was captured on one officer’s body-worn camera, and the two officers remain on active duty. Police have asked witnesses to the alleged altercation, or people with dashcam footage of an Aboriginal man in dark clothing crossing West Terrace in traffic late Thursday, to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.