An arrest has been made after a Darwin supermarket owner was allegedly stabbed to death when he confronted a teenage shoplifter.
Linford Feich, 71, who was born in Canada, ran the Friendly Grocer Nightcliff Supermarket until Wednesday evening, when he confronted an alleged thief.
The teenager fled on a bicycle and, following an extensive manhunt, police made an arrest late on Wednesday night.
Customers performed first aid and CPR on the store owner until paramedics arrived but he died at the scene.
‘It is alleged that an unknown male was stealing items from a supermarket,’ a police spokesperson said on Wednesday night.
‘A 71-year-old owner of the store allegedly confronted the male and asked him to return the items before the male allegedly stabbed him with an edged weapon and fled the scene on a bicycle.
‘At this stage, police believe they have identified the offender, and efforts are currently underway to locate him.’
Distraught onlookers recalled hearing shouting before the store owner was stabbed.
An 18-year-old has been arrested following the stabbing death of a Darwin supermarket owner on Wednesday night
Witnesses said they heard shouting in the store (right) and police arrested the teenager (left) late on Wednesday night
‘As soon as we entered we heard the voice (of the man), he tried to kick (him out), while (he was) stealing things,’ one woman told the NT News.
‘Two staff members directed him to the door and suddenly (he allegedly) took out a knife and stabbed the man … and he collapsed.’
She said she called emergency services about 5.17pm to report the man’s injuries.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro of the Country Liberals assumed government in August last year with a focus on cracking down on rampant crime in the Territory.
She issued a video statement to social media on Wednesday night.
‘It is devastating that we are at this point, again,’ Mrs Finocchiaro said.
‘Our focus right now is on the welfare of the family … every Territorian knows this not okay, and we reinforce our commitment that everything is on the table.
‘The police and I will have more to say as the situation unfolds.’
Just two months after Ms Finocchiaro took office, her government successfully passed legislation to lower the age of criminal responsibility back to 10-years-old.
She also put in seven requests to the Commonwealth for assistance to tackle crime in the NT.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to one of them – the easing of federal laws to allow the use of police drones.
Other fellow NT politicians also expressed their shock at the latest incident and issued condolences to Mr Feich’s family.
‘My thoughts are with the family whose lives have been impacted by this senseless attack and the first responders who rendered assistance,’ federal Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said.
‘The Territory community is with you.’
Arnhem MP Selena Uibo added: ‘While more details are yet to emerge, one thing is clear – this kind of senseless violence has no place in our community.
