An urgent manhunt is underway after a beloved supermarket owner was fatally stabbed in front of horrified customers.
Emergency services were called to Nightcliff Friendly Grocer in Darwin at about 5.15pm on Wednesday.
Northern Territory Police allege a man was confronted by the store owner, 71, who asked him to return stolen items when he was stabbed.
Customers performed first aid and CPR on the store owner but he died at the scene.
The alleged offender fled the scene on a bicycle and remains on the run.
‘At this stage, police believe they have identified the offender, and efforts are currently underway to locate him,’ a police statement read.
An urgent manhunt is underway after the owner of Darwin’s Nightcliff Friendly Grocer was stabbed to death
‘As soon as we entered we heard the voice (of the man), he tried to kick (him out), while (he was) stealing things,’ one woman told the NT News.
‘Two staff members directed him to the door and suddenly (he) took out a knife and stabbed the man … and he collapsed.’
The stabbing comes months after staff from the supermarket and neighbouring businesses raised safety concerns about the shopping precinct.
‘It’s not safe here,’ a local worker said.
‘A few months ago someone else was stabbed here too.’
Detectives urge anyone with information to call 131 444.
