UPDATE: A shocking incident of racial profiling has emerged following the gunpoint arrest of a 17-year-old Aboriginal teenager in Canberra on November 12, 2023. The boy was forcibly removed from a bus by armed police who later admitted they had the wrong individual.
The teenager was on his way to visit family when police, responding to reports of a knife-wielding suspect, stopped the bus. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as officers drew their weapons, handcuffed the boy, and slammed him to the ground. His family has condemned the incident as a clear case of police brutality and racial profiling.
“This is not policing; this is abuse,” stated the boy’s family. “He was treated like a threat and less than human.” His aunties, Mikaila McEwan and Kristie Peters, expressed outrage, stating, “The officers pointed a gun… causing him pain and difficulty breathing.”
Authorities confirm that police acted on multiple eyewitness reports regarding an armed offender. However, they later acknowledged the teenager was not the suspect. In a statement, the ACT Police expressed regret, calling the incident “distressing” for the young man and other passengers.
The family is demanding a thorough investigation into the officers involved, including their suspension during the inquiry. They are also seeking access to body-worn camera footage and a formal apology from the police.
Indigenous community advocates have voiced their condemnation. Julie Tongs, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, stated, “If that had been a busload of black kids, would they have done what they did to the only white kid on that bus? I don’t think so.”
Acting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young Peoples Commissioner Barbara Causon warned that the incident could have long-lasting effects on community trust in law enforcement. “This innocent young boy was hurt, traumatized, and not safe,” she stated.
The police have met with the teenager and his family to discuss the incident, and a formal complaint is under review by the Australian Federal Police’s professional standards command.
This developing story highlights the urgent need for accountability and change within policing practices, particularly regarding racial profiling. The family’s call for justice resonates deeply within the Indigenous community, urging a broader conversation about the treatment of marginalized groups by law enforcement.
As this situation unfolds, the community and advocates will be watching closely to see how the police respond and what measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
