Overview

• A 71-year-old grocery store owner was fatally stabbed while confronting an alleged teenage thief at the Friendly Grocer Nightcliff Supermarket in Darwin on April 23, 2025.
• The suspect, an 18-year-old male, was arrested by police shortly after the incident but has not yet been formally charged.
• Patrons attempted first aid, and emergency services performed CPR, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
• Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro expressed devastation over the incident and emphasized government support for the victim’s family while reaffirming a commitment to community safety.
• The tragedy recalls the 2023 murder of Declan Laverty, which spurred stricter bail laws in the Northern Territory, highlighting ongoing concerns over retail worker safety and judicial processes.