MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - A chaotic scene unfolded outside an Australian Outback hospital as an enraged crowd rioted following the treatment of Jefferson Lewis, a man accused of murdering a 5-year-old girl. The incident occurred at the Alice Springs Hospital, where hundreds of people gathered late Thursday to demand retribution against Lewis under Indigenous customary law, which can include severe forms of punishment, such as beatings or spearing.

Jefferson Lewis is alleged to have abducted the child from an Indigenous community close to Alice Springs over the weekend. The victim, now referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby due to Indigenous customs that prohibit naming the deceased, was reported missing, and her body was discovered on Thursday. The tragic event has ignited a wave of anger within the community.

Before his arrest, Lewis was attacked and beaten unconscious by a mob. Police apprehended him later that same Thursday at the Indigenous community where he was found. Concern for his safety during his hospital stay prompted the police to transfer him to a secure location in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, located approximately 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) north of Alice Springs.

The crowd outside Alice Springs Hospital became increasingly volatile, leading to riotous behavior as they expressed their outrage over the alleged crime. In response to the escalating tensions, police deployed rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the mob. Several police vehicles sustained damage amid the chaos.

Once discharged from Alice Springs Hospital, Lewis was transported under police guard to Darwin, where he is expected to face charges as early as Friday. His situation highlights deep-seated issues surrounding crime, justice, and cultural practices within Indigenous communities in Australia, igniting a broader conversation about the balance between community justice and formal legal proceedings.

The incident underscores a prevailing community sentiment and the lengths to which individuals may go in the pursuit of justice for perceived wrongs. As the legal processes unfold, the case continues to attract significant media attention and concern from various stakeholders regarding social justice and cultural sensitivity in handling such sensitive cases.