Kumanjayi Little Baby Accused Killer Jefferson Lewis Moved To Darwin After Alice Springs Riots | 10

Alice Springs has descended into chaos with a riot breaking out outside the hospital where the alleged abductor and killer of five -year -old Kumunjai little girl was being treated.Jefferson Lewis was beaten unconscious by an angry group of people before police arrived.While being treated, locals in Alice Springs began rioting.demanding Lewis be given to the community.Police cars were smashed and torched and officers forced to duck for cover.Jace Campi is live in Alice Springs and joins us now.

Jace, what's the latest?

Yeah, good afternoon, Angela.This is a community still very much on edge after a chaotic night here in Alice Springs.Anger boiled over at the local hospital where Jefferson Lewis had been taken after he was arrested with violence erupting, leaving police under siege.Officers were forced to use tear gas and rubber bullets as they were being pelted with missiles to regain control of the situation as flames tore through patrol vehicles with at least one being destroyed.Amid all of this chaos, a woman arrived at the hospital labour and had to be carried in by tactical officers to shield her.I can report that she gave birth to a child safely overnight.

Crowds had gathered at the hospital demanding Lewis be handed over to the community after he was accused of murdering a young five -year -old girl.He's now been transferred to Darwin while police still believe others were helping him hide during a five -day manhunt as authorities now pursue others involved as well as those rioting in the streets last night.

The behaviour that we saw last night cannot be explained away, excused or accepted.There is absolutely no excuse for violence against emergency services that are just doing their job.So for those people involved, you will face the law just as Jefferson Lewis is facing the law and your behaviour will not be accepted by us.

And Jase, you got caught up in the chaos.

Yeah, that's right, Ange.Even the media got caught up in the crossfire.Our cameraman was targeted by officers.He was pelted in the face with pepper spray that caused him great discomfort.This all unfolding despite us declaring that we were part of the media as the situation spiralled out of control and it felt very, very unsafe.Today, an apology from the head of police here in the Northern Territory admitting their officers got it wrong.

I'm not excusing the actions that were taken against you but it was a volatile situation last night.When police are heightened and using force and defending themselves, emotions are high and I can only apologise that your cameraman was sprayed.

And the fallout continues today with bottle shops being closed while football games across Alice Springs have been cancelled as traditional owners now call for calm.

Back to you.