Violent scenes have erupted in Kalgoorlie as a man was due to face court over the death of a 14-year-old boy.
The boy’s body was found in bushland after a crash off Clancy Street in Boulder, around 595km east of Perth, yesterday morning.
A 55-year-old man was arrested and later charged with manslaughter over the boy’s death.
He was refused bail and was due to appear in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court today.
Kalgoorlie courthouse has gone into lockdown after violent scenes erupt @9NewsPerth #9news #protest pic.twitter.com/14KXhaTqod
— Rebecca Johns (@Rebecca_C_Johns) August 30, 2016
A large group from the local Indigenous community gathered outside the courthouse to protest the boy’s death.
Some of those protesting held Australian Aboriginal flags and banners reading “all lives matter, save our kids, Australia against racism” and “we want justice”.
Protesters have taken to the streets in Kalgoorlie after the death of a 14-year-old boy. (Rebecca Johns/9NEWS)
The building was placed into lockdown as the protests turned violent, with a window smashed and traffic on Kalgoorlie’s main street brought to standstill.
It is believed bottles and rocks were hurled at the building.
Tensions running high at Kalgoorlie Court as indigenous community protests over 14 year old death @9NewsPerth pic.twitter.com/X9api2y3i1
— Rebecca Johns (@Rebecca_C_Johns) August 30, 2016
Kalgoorlie detectives are investigating the circumstances of the boy’s death.
The crash is believed to have occurred between a stolen motorbike and a Nissan Navara ute.
The motorbike was reported stolen on Sunday and is linked to the owner of the ute, WA Police said in a statement.
Anyone who saw the ute or the motorbike before the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
