Emergency services received multiple reports of a large-scale disturbance at the Northern Territory's Aboriginal community of Milingimbi early on Tuesday afternoon.
"Upon arrival a 26-year-old male was located deceased with what appears to be at least one puncture-like injury to his back, possibly from an edged weapon," police Acting Commander Mark Grieve said on Wednesday
Extra police were flown to the island, about 450km east of Darwin, on Tuesday and major crime squad detectives and forensic officers arrived on Wednesday.
"We do not have any persons in custody, nor have we positively identified any persons of interest," Commander Grieve told reporters in Darwin, saying the investigation could be protracted.
The death came on the back of a build-up of tensions and ongoing unrest between family groups over the past few weeks, he said.
The reasons for the feuding had yet to be fully determined.
A large crowd was present during the confrontations and it would take police time to identify who was there and what they witnessed.
"This will be a process of working with family and community in a respectful and appropriate manner," Commander Grieve said.
In recent months there has been a series of violent confrontations sparked by clan tensions in remote NT Aboriginal communities and involving spears, bows and arrows and bladed weapons.
Milingimbi is the largest of the Crocodile Islands group off the coast of Arnhem Land and was the site of a church mission and an RAAF base.
16°C