Northern Territory Police have apprehended Jefferson Lewis, the individual they believe is responsible for the abduction and murder of a five-year-old girl in the region.
The young victim, Kumanjayi Little Baby, was taken from a residence near Alice Springs five days prior, prompting a widespread search by authorities.
A local resident shared with the Daily Mail the dramatic tale of how a group of vigilantes located and assaulted Lewis after discovering him hiding at Charles Creek Camp.
“A group of young boys recognized him as the person featured in the news while he was walking down the street,” the local recounted.
“They rushed towards him and began attacking him fiercely. He attempted to crawl under a shipping container, possibly to sleep or evade the crowd,” the source continued.
“He has suffered significant injuries and is in poor condition. However, this may not satisfy the community’s demand for justice, as many are calling for traditional tribal punishment,” the resident noted.
Lewis was rushed to Alice Springs Hospital under police guard, arriving before 10pm ACST. More than 100 people then gathered outside the hospital and threw rocks at its windows as the furious group screamed for Lewis to be brought outside.
They only dispersed when officers deployed teargas, but dozens remained on the street behind the hospital, with one woman claiming some attendees had ‘smashed a cop car up’ in retaliation. Others were seen throwing projectiles at officers.
The body of five-year-old Sharon Granites (above) was found on Thursday, five days after she went missing on Anzac Day
Jefferson Lewis (above) was taken to hospital under police guard on Thursday night
A large crowd (above) gathered outside the hospital and threw rocks at its windows
Footage of the arrest has appeared which shows Lewis on the ground appearing heavily injured as officers handcuff him.
The arrest just hours after officers discovered the little girl’s remains and confirmed Lewis’ DNA was found on her clothing.
The shattering discovery was made on day five of one of the Northern Territory’s biggest searches, located just 5km from where she was allegedly abducted at Old Timers town camp on Anzac Day.
Police earlier issued a chilling warning to Lewis as they ramped up their manhunt, telling him they were closing in.
While on the run, Lewis did not have a vehicle, a phone or even a bank card, rendering modern-day investigation techniques used by police effectively useless.
Assistant Commissioner Malley earlier on Thursday warned Lewis’ relatives against helping him.
‘To the family of Jefferson Lewis: we believe he has murdered this child – do not assist him. Get him to the police station and we’ll look after him. And I’ll say to Jefferson Lewis: we’re coming for you.’
Mary Lewis, who is understood to be Lewis’s aunt, said she hadn’t seen her nephew since he was last in jail.
The little girl went missing from a camp near Alice Springs in central Australia
Lewis had been found by a vigilante group and was beaten before being brought to Alice Springs Hospital (above)
‘I’m sad. We are grieving. I don’t know what has happened,’ she told Daily Mail on Thursday.
Police previously said there were people in the community who ‘absolutely knew’ where Lewis was.
They warned that anyone sheltering him would face charges.
Lewis was sentenced to 64 months in prison, between 2016 and 2025, for offences including aggravated assaults, breaching domestic violence orders, bail and resisting police.
It’s understood Lewis was staying at a home within Old Timers and was known to the victim’s family.
Her devastated family paid tribute to their beloved girl after her body was found in bushland. They asked she be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby.
Kumanjayi is a substitute name used by Warlpiri people for a deceased person, avoiding the taboo of speaking their name after death.
‘I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family,’ her mother, Jacinta White, said in a statement.
Locals place flowers on the fence at the camp where the little one lived
A child’s body was found in bushland near Alice Springs on day five of one of the Northern Territory’s biggest searches (pictured, searchers on Wednesday)
‘Me and your brother will meet you one day. We are giving our lives to Jesus.
‘It’s going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.
‘Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese followed with a tribute to Kumanjayi Little Baby who was ‘just at the start of life’s adventure’.
‘This is the tragic outcome we were all desperately hoping against,’ Albanese wrote in a statement.
‘No words can measure up to the immensity of the grief her family is going through. In their time of terrible loss, all Australians hold them in our hearts.
‘This is devastating for the whole Alice Springs community, which came together to find her. We wish them strength, and also to the police in their difficult work as they pursue answers and, ultimately, justice.
‘May Kumanjayi Little Baby live on in every heart she ever touched.’
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