On early Sunday morning, authorities in Alice Springs responded to a reported fight outside the Alice Springs Hospital, where individuals were allegedly brandishing machetes. The police were first alerted to the situation around 5am, but the group had dispersed before their arrival. An hour later, they received further reports indicating that a 19-year-old woman had been assaulted by the same group of offenders purportedly armed with machetes, which led to a more comprehensive response from law enforcement.

As the police investigated, they utilized the NT Police canine unit to assist in tracking down the vehicle associated with the offenders. Their investigation led to the arrest of two men and three boys in connection with the aggravated assault that reportedly unfolded outside the hospital. The specific details regarding the nature of the assault on the woman remain under investigation, with law enforcement emphasizing the seriousness of the incident given the reported involvement of bladed weapons.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns in Alice Springs regarding public safety and violent crime, particularly related to youth and weapon possession. Authorities are likely to face increased scrutiny regarding measures in place to prevent such occurrences, and the local community is given a stark reminder of the challenges that law enforcement continues to face in maintaining safety in public spaces, especially in high-stakes environments such as hospitals.