Aboriginal community leaders are penning an open letter to voice their frustration over the WA government and police response following the death of Indigenous schoolboy Cassius Turvey.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains an image of a person who has died.
Comments from WA Police regarding the possible motive of the alleged attack on Cassius on October 13 have sparked condemnation from some in the Indigenous community.
The 15-year-old boy was walking with friends in Middle Swan, in Perth's east, when police allege a 21-year-old man exited a car and hit him with a metal pole. Police have charged a man with murder and he is due back in court on November 9.
Cassius was taken to hospital with head injuries before suffering a seizure some days later. He died in hospital on Sunday.
"It may be a case of [Cassius] being in the wrong place at the wrong time," WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch told 6PR Radio on Tuesday.
Indigenous leaders met late yesterday in Perth to discuss the details of an open letter.
Noongar traditional custodian Jim Morrison said the commentary from police and the government was hurtful to the Aboriginal community.
“He was coming home from school. How on earth could he be at the wrong place at the wrong time?” he said.
"For me to think that children can't walk home from school … that is terrifying."
The Police Commissioner and Premier Mark McGowan have expressed their condolences, but have asked the community to avoid speculating about the nature of the incident.
Aboriginal community leaders, including Mr Morrison, say they are frustrated at the response.
"Now there's going to be, I suppose, trauma triggers for a lot of young people who are living in the same environment, who are afraid to go home, or afraid to be on the streets," he said.
"We shouldn't be living in a society like this."
Call for more action and 'respect'
While WA Police continue to investigate the motive of the attack, they have said they are not operating on the assumption that racism was involved at this stage.
However, questions are being raised in the community about whether race may have been a factor in the incident.
Noongar academic Hannah McGlade was one of the attendees at the Aboriginal leadership meeting.
"I wished I was seeing the leadership and the respect for the situation … we're not," she said.
While not commenting on the case, Dr McGlade called for wider change.
"We had a national inquiry in 1991, and we've disregarded the recommendations to actually take action," she said.
"We need to monitor the crimes, and we need to prosecute them properly for what they are."
Attendees at the leadership meeting agreed to pen an open letter to express their worries for the safety of Aboriginal children and teenagers.
Premier Mark McGowan acknowledged the tragic impact of Cassius's death on the community, but reiterated remarks he made earlier in the week to respect the court process.
"It's before the courts, courts will decide these things," he said on Thursday.
WA Police have been contacted for comment.
