Grief, shock and calls for change. The Northern Territory capital has been left heartbroken after the stabbing death of a beloved long-term supermarket owner in Darwin's northern suburbs. His alleged attacker, an 18-year-old man, has been arrested with police confirming he was out on bail at the time of the incident
00:00Police cordon off the scene of an unthinkable tragedy in the heart of Darwin's northern suburbs.
00:08The pain and the suffering and the hurt and the trauma for them will be long-term and enduring.
00:14The 71-year-old owner of Nightcliff Friendly Grocer's supermarket, Linford Fike, was fatally stabbed
00:21after confronting an alleged shoplifter late on Wednesday afternoon.
00:25CPR was conducted at the scene but unfortunately, despite the efforts of the bystanders and paramedics,
00:31that person succumbed to his injuries.
00:33On Thursday, floral tributes were left outside the popular store
00:37and in a heartfelt late-night post, Mr Fike's wife paid tribute to a beloved partner, taken too soon.
00:45My beautiful husband of 51 years was stolen from me, his children and his seven grandchildren.
00:52This is so hurtful. Linford worked sincerely to maintain the community vibe with smiles, trust and humanity.
01:00A beautiful man, a true gentleman and my soulmate gone forever.
01:05At the end of the day, there is a family who've lost a husband, a brother, a father, an uncle, a loved one, a community who's lost a friendly face,
01:14someone they love to go and see every day.
01:16And as Territorians, we all stand together in absolute grief about losing yet another member of our community to crime.
01:24Police say the alleged offender, who turned 18 three days ago, fled the scene on bicycle after the stabbing,
01:31but turned himself in to police later that night.
01:34The 18-year-old male who's currently in police custody was granted bail in the Northern Territory Supreme Court
01:41for serious matters on the 17th of April, 2025.
01:46That person was bailed to a remote community across the Top End.
01:52That person did not have an electronic monitoring bracelet.
01:55The death comes two years after the murder of bottle shop worker Declan Laverty by a customer who was also out on bail.
02:02The 18-year-old remains in custody with any charges yet to be laid.
