Source : Perth Now news
A teenager who handed himself in after the fatal stabbing of a Darwin grocery store owner was reportedly out on bail for a series of alleged violent offences at the time.
Linford Feick, 71, was working at his Nightcliff Friendly Grocer on Wednesday around 5.15pm when a confrontation with an alleged shoplifter turned deadly.
Police say Mr Feick had asked a teenager to return items that he believed were stolen, but the teen allegedly stabbed him with an edged weapon before fleeing on a bicycle.
Patrons provided first aid and emergency services carried out CPR, but the 71-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
A witness told the NT News that as she entered the store, she heard a man’s voice trying to kick someone out.
“As soon as we entered we heard the voice (of the man), he tried to kick (him out), while (he was) stealing things,” she said.
“Two staff members directed him to the door and suddenly (he) took out a knife and stabbed the man … and he collapsed.”
Police say the 18-year-old was taken into custody after he handed himself into Palmerston Police Station at 12.35am on Thursday.
He has not yet been charged.
Police have confirmed the teenager was on bail with conditions to remain in a remote Territory community and did not have an electronic monitoring bracelet as a condition of his bail.
The Australian has reported he was already facing a long list of charges including for aggravated assault and rape at the time of the grocery store stabbing.
He appeared in Northern Territory Supreme Court last week where his bail was continued on two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of rape.
He had also been charged with depriving a person of their personal liberty, sexual intercourse with a child under 16, assaulting and resisting police and spitting on an officer or emergency worker.
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.
Tributes flow
Mr Fieck’s wife Margaret took to social media early on Thursday to pay tribute to her husband, who she described as a “true gentleman and my soulmate”.
“My beautiful husband of 51 years was stolen from me, his children and his seven grandchildren,” a post on Facebook reads. “This is so hurtful.”
“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.”
His son Ben told The Australian Mr Feick’s violent death was the family’s “worst nightmare come true”.
“This is something that has been a reality to us for a long time.”
Locals say they are heartbroken by his shock death.
One told Newswire they were “(gutted) that this could happen to such a great family who provide our community with such (an) essential service”.
— with AAP
