Violence erupts in Australian town after arrest over girl's murder

Violence broke out in Alice Springs, Australia, following the arrest of a man suspected of murdering a five-year-old girl.

Jefferson Lewis was taken into custody late on Thursday night after being found unconscious and reportedly attacked by members of the local community.

The girl, identified as Kumanjayi Little Baby for cultural reasons, was found dead earlier on Thursday.

She had last been seen on Saturday night at an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs.

Following Lewis's arrest, around 400 Aboriginal people gathered outside the town hospital where he was being treated.

The crowd threw projectiles and chanted for "payback," a term referring to traditional punishment under Aboriginal law, demanding Lewis face retribution for the alleged murder.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole described the situation as unacceptable and uncharacteristic of the community's recent behavior.

Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd after several police vehicles were damaged and emergency service personnel were injured.

Lewis was flown to Darwin and is now in police custody, with charges expected to be filed in the coming days.

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