Latest news with #FriendlyGrocerNightcliffSupermarket


Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Major update after Darwin supermarket owner was stabbed to death
An 18-year-old has been charged with murder after a beloved supermarket owner was stabbed to death. Canadian-born Linford Feich, 71, ran the Friendly Grocer Nightcliff Supermarket in Darwin's west, where he was allegedly attacked on Wednesday evening after he confronted an alleged teenage shoplifter. Customers at the store, which included at least one doctor, performed first aid and CPR until paramedics arrived but he died at the scene. The alleged teenage offender left the scene on a bicycle and after an extensive police manhunt, he turned himself in shortly after midnight. The man was charged with one count of murder late on Thursday. He was remanded in custody with face the Darwin Local Court on Monday, April 28. It was revealed earlier on Wednesday that the 18-year-old was already on bail and restricted to remain in a remote community, but was not wearing his required ankle bracelet. An 18-year-old has been arrested following the stabbing death of a Darwin supermarket owner on Wednesday night Distraught onlookers recalled hearing shouting before the store owner was stabbed. '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. It also enacted tougher bail laws for violent offenders, which had been sparked by the death of bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, who was killed by a 19-year-old on bail for aggravated robbery and assault. Ms Finocchiaro 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. Opposition leader Peter Dutton agreed 'in principal' to the other six, which includes more income management for parents of youth offenders and kids who do not attend school. Mr Feich's wife shared an emotional tribute to him early on Thursday morning. 'My name is Margaret and I am Linford's wife. I am sitting here at 3am too broken to go to sleep because my life has been shattered.. My beautiful husband of 51 years was stolen from me his children and his 7 grand children,' she wrote. 'This is so hurtful. An 18 year old kid has done this in a dreadful moment of anger because he was confronted with theft. 'The trauma it has caused to the beautiful staff who we love as family, the trauma to our beautiful customers, Linford worked so sincerely to maintain the community vibe with smiles, trust and humanity. 'A beautiful man, a true gentleman, and my soulmate. Gone forever. God Bless Him. RIP my darling man.' NT politicians 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.'


Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Horrifying twist after supermarket owner is allegedly stabbed to death in Darwin - as Aussies demand for the army to be called in
Furious Aussies have called for the army to be deployed in the Northern Territory in response to crime, after the alleged fatal stabbing of a Darwin supermarket owner. Canadian-born Linford Feich, 71, ran the Friendly Grocer Nightcliff Supermarket in the city's west, where he was allegedly attacked on Wednesday evening after he confronted an alleged teenage shoplifter who was out on bail. The incident has enraged Darwin residents, who claim NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro's attempts to crack down on crime have failed and bail laws in the territory remain too relaxed. Hundreds of locals took to social media to vent their frustration on Thursday, with some calling for the federal government to 'send the army through' or 'bring in the armed forces' in response to spiralling crime in the territory. 'How many more innocent people have to die or live their lives in fear to be in their homes or businesses and not be safe... Bring in the armed forces to clean up,' said one. 'Call in the federal police, we are not safe in the NT,' said another. 'Lia Finocchiaro you said tougher bail laws? Where? You're a failure just as your predecessor was,' a third fumed. 'So Lia this is a result from your tough on crime policy is it,' questioned a fourth. 'The public have had enough.' Some pointed out the brazen nature of the alleged attack given it happened just across the road from Nightcliff Police Station. Others called for the introduction of capital punishment or for the territory to legalise pepper spray so that residents could better defend themselves. The alleged teenage offender left the scene on a bicycle on Wednesday evening and after an extensive police manhunt, he turned himself in shortly after midnight. He is understood to come from the Daly region, 50km southwest of Darwin. The 18-year-old was already on bail for three counts of rape and two counts of aggravated assault, according to The Australian. He had also been charged with sexual intercourse with a child under 16, depriving a person of their personal liberty, and spitting on an officer or emergency worker, and assaulting and resisting police. He had been required to live at a 'Top End remote community,' but was not required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. Two months after Ms Finocchiaro took office in August, her government successfully passed legislation to lower the age of criminal responsibility back to 10 years. It also enacted tougher bail laws for violent offenders, which had been sparked by the death of bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, who was killed by a 19-year-old on bail for aggravated robbery and assault. Ms Finocchiaro also put in seven requests to the Commonwealth for assistance to tackle crime in the NT, which has the highest offender rates in the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to one of them - the easing of federal laws to allow the use of police drones. Other requests included more income management for parents of youth offenders and kids who do not attend school.


Perth Now
23-04-2025
- Perth Now
'Devastating': grocery owner stabbed by alleged thief
A grocery store owner has allegedly been stabbed to death while confronting a teenage thief in an incident a territory leader has described as devastating for the community. The 71-year-old man was fatally stabbed at the Friendly Grocer Nightcliff Supermarket in Darwin on Wednesday after confronting an 18-year-old who was allegedly stealing from the shop. The store owner asked the teenager to return the items, but the teenager allegedly stabbed him with an edged weapon before fleeing on a bicycle, Northern Territory police said. Patrons provided first aid and emergency services carried out CPR, but the 71-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The teenager has since been arrested by police but he is yet to be charged. In a Facebook post, Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said her government's current focus was on the welfare of the man's family. "It is devastating that we are at this point again," she said. "Every Territorian knows that this is not okay and we reinforce our commitment that everything is on the table." The death comes about two years after the murder of bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, who was killed while on shift at a BWS near Darwin airport. His killing by a man who was out on bail prompted a tightening of laws under Ms Finocchiaro's government.