For senior Warlpiri man Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, emotions are raw as he comes to terms with losing another grandson in police custody.
"No more. We are saying enough is enough," Mr Hargraves said as he addressed the crowd.
The respected community leader travelled from his community of Yuendumu to lead a vigil attended by hundreds at the place of his jaja's (grandson's) death.
Family members of the man — now referred to as Kumanjayi — embraced each other out the front of the Coles supermarket in Alice Springs as tears flowed and wails echoed through the carpark.
"For my grandson, we want justice," Mr Hargraves said.
What happened on May 27
The 24-year old died inside the Alice Springs Coles supermarket after an altercation with police on Tuesday afternoon.
The man had been living in Alice Springs, away from his home community, due to his need for disability support.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Assistant Police Commissioner Travis Wurst told reporters the man was confronted by security guards for alleged shoplifting.
"We can confirm the male was taken to the ground and he remained on the ground for a number of minutes before general duties frontline officers came to the Coles complex and placed handcuffs on the male," Assistant Commissioner Wurst said.
"About this point it was determined that the male had lost consciousness, the handcuffs were removed, first aid was administered immediately, and that did include some CPR."
The man was taken to Alice Springs hospital where he was later declared deceased.
On Wednesday, the Northern Territory's chief forensic pathologist completed the autopsy and found the cause of death remains "undetermined".
Assistant Commissioner Wurst says the pathologist would carry out "further investigation to provide any substantive cause of death".
Calls for an independent investigation
The First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) has demanded urgent systemic action over the 24-year-old's death.
FPDN CEO Damian Griffis is calling for an independent, culturally safe, investigation which is consistent with Recommendation 41 of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
"This tragic event highlights the concerns we have been raising at FPDN for many years," Mr Griffis said in a statement.
"This again highlights the increasing criminalisation of disability."
"It also exposes potentially serious failings with the Guardianship system and the NDIS," the Worimi man continued.
Another family member lost in police custody
The 24-year-old's death comes just days before coronial findings were set to be handed down at a seperate inquest into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker — who is also Mr Hargraves grandson.
Former constable Zachary Rolfe shot 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker three times during an attempted arrest in Yuendumu, 300 kilometres from Alice Springs, on November 9, 2019.
Mr Rolfe was found not guilty on all charges over the death in 2022.
"Hear us, this can not keep going," Mr Hargraves said.
"I'm sure there is another way of dealing with people."
The coronial findings into Mr Walkers death are set to be delivered on June 10 but NITV has been told the family have requested it be postponed to a later date.
