A man has died while being restrained by police following an altercation with a security guard at a supermarket, sparking a death-in-custody investigation.
Officers were alerted of the incident with the security guard at Alice Springs’ Coles store about 1.10pm on Tuesday, police said.
Two Northern Territory officers were in the store at the time and restrained the man.
According to a statement from NT police, “Shortly afterwards, the man ceased breathing, prompting the initiation of CPR.”
Emergency services arrived and the man was taken to Alice Springs Hospital, but he was pronounced dead about 2.20pm.
“A crime scene was established, and the shopping centre is expected to remain closed,” the police statement said.
“The incident is being investigated as a death in custody.”
Major Crime Section detectives are travelling to Alice Springs, with police investigating the incident on behalf of the coroner.
