An aboriginal man has been charged over a broad daylight stabbing in the indigenous crime-plagued outback city of Alice Springs last week.
Northern Territory Police charged Kaine Fisher, 22, with one count of acts intended to cause serious harm over the alleged incident, which occurred at 5pm on Thursday and left another aboriginal man, 27, fighting for life in hospital, The Australian reported.
Fisher has convictions for aggravated assault, escape lawful custody, breach of bail and being armed in public dating back to 2022, but only served four weeks in jail and was given a series of fines, suspended sentences and good behaviour bonds.
Images and video of the alleged attack and its aftermath show a man wielding two knives and his alleged victim lying on the ground as bystanders gave him first aid. The wounded man was later rushed to hospital with punctured lungs and an arterial injury.
Breaking: A man is fighting for life after being repeatedly stabbed in the town centre of Alice Springs in a daylight attack in front of shocked onlookers, including a family out for an early dinner with their 12-month-old child.
A man “armed with two steak knives” is on the run… pic.twitter.com/zTVksLJLqX
— Liam Mendes (@liammendes) May 15, 2025
Police initially believed the stabbing took place during a fight involving about 20 people as a result of a dispute between indigenous communities, but now say they believe the brawl erupted afterwards.
Commander James Grey-Spence said: “Investigations indicate that this incident was confined to those directly involved and not part of any broader conflict.
“Police are working closely with traditional owners, elders, community members, land councils, and other government agencies to enhance community safety and prevent further incidents.”
Police are understood to now be investigating whether there was a close family link between the alleged attacker and the injured man, and believe neither are Alice Springs residents.
The violent scenes unfolded in front of shocked locals who were out for an early dinner, and one family told The Australian they are now considering leaving the city, which was last year ranked the 18th most dangerous in the world.
“I thought about the Bondi Junction attack when I saw the man walking towards my wife and baby – that was the feeling, that this was a Sydney thing,” the father said.
“How do you ring everyone up in your family to explain, if anything had happened to my 12-month-old? How would I explain that to our family?”
“I’m bloody terrified, I want to leave Alice … I don’t want (my son) to have to remember stuff like this,” his wife said.
Aboriginal violence is rampant in Alice Springs, and a Labor MP last year warned that indigenous criminals were targeting White women for rape and robbery after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted during a break-in and a baby was allegedly bashed by home invaders.
The alleged knifeman will face Alice Springs Local Court on Monday.
Header image: The alleged knifeman (left).
