‘Too broken to go to sleep’: Supermarket owner stabbed to death in his own store
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Violence in community spaces often leaves deep emotional scars—especially when it strikes places considered safe and familiar.
A recent tragedy has reignited calls for action, prompting outrage, heartbreak, and difficult questions about youth crime, justice, and public safety in one Australian city.
What unfolded on an otherwise ordinary evening has left a lasting impact on a tight-knit community and the family at the heart of it.
A tight-knit Darwin community was left reeling after the fatal stabbing of a well-known local shopkeeper sparked outrage and sorrow across the Northern Territory.
Linford Feich, a 71-year-old Canadian-born grandfather, was allegedly attacked at the Friendly Grocer Nightcliff Supermarket on 23 April.
Police said Mr Feich had confronted a teenage shoplifter moments before he was fatally stabbed.
Customers, including a doctor, rushed to his aid and performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but the beloved grocer could not be revived.
Mr Feich died at the scene, surrounded by customers and staff who had known him for years.
The alleged attacker fled the scene on a bicycle, prompting a police manhunt that lasted six hours.
Shortly after midnight, the 18-year-old male suspect turned himself in to authorities.
He was charged with one count of murder on 24 April and remanded in custody to face Darwin Local Court on 28 April.
It later emerged that the accused had been on bail at the time of the incident.
He had been restricted to a remote community but was not wearing his required ankle monitoring bracelet.
Mr Feich’s wife Margaret, who had been married to him for more than 50 years, shared a heartbreaking tribute just hours after his death.
‘I am sitting here at 3:00 am too broken to go to sleep because my life has been shattered,’ she wrote.
‘My beautiful husband of 51 years was stolen from me, his children and his seven grandchildren.’
‘This is so hurtful. An 18-year-old kid has allegedly done this in a dreadful moment of anger because he was confronted with theft.’
‘The trauma it has caused to the beautiful staff who we love as family, the trauma to our beautiful customers, Linford worked so sincerely to maintain the community vibe with smiles, trust and humanity.’
‘A beautiful man, a true gentleman, and my soulmate. Gone forever. God Bless Him. RIP, my darling man.’
Witnesses who were in the store at the time described the harrowing moments before and after the stabbing.
‘As soon as we entered, we heard the voice (of the man), he tried to kick (him out), while (he was) stealing things,’ one shopper shared.
‘Two staff members directed him to the door and suddenly (he allegedly) took out a knife and stabbed the man…and he collapsed.’
Images from the scene showed the suspect being arrested by police later that night.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro posted a video message to social media on Wednesday following the incident.
‘It is devastating that we are at this point, again,’ she said.
‘Our focus right now is on the welfare of the family…every Territorian knows this not okay, and we reinforce our commitment that everything is on the table.’
‘The police and I will have more to say as the situation unfolds.’
Since taking office in August last year, Ms Finocchiaro’s government has introduced several measures to address crime across the Territory.
These included lowering the age of criminal responsibility back to 10 years and introducing stricter bail conditions for violent offenders.
Her push for reform had come in the wake of another tragedy—the fatal stabbing of bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, who was killed by a 19-year-old on bail.
The Northern Territory (NT) government had also submitted seven requests for federal assistance in tackling crime.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had agreed to one—relaxing federal laws to permit the use of police drones.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton had agreed ‘in principal’ to the other six, which included stricter income controls for parents of youth offenders and those with truant children.
Tributes continued to pour in for Mr Feich from leaders across the Northern Territory.
Federal Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said: ‘My thoughts are with the family whose lives have been impacted by this senseless attack and the first responders who rendered assistance.’
‘The Territory community is with you.’
Arnhem MP Selena Uibo added: ‘While more details are yet to emerge, one thing is clear–this kind of senseless violence has no place in our community.’
In a previous story, another frightening incident also raised alarm bells about public safety in retail spaces.
One major supermarket chain responded swiftly with a significant policy change.
You can read more about what happened and how the retailer took action.
With ongoing concerns about youth crime in the NT, do you think current bail laws are doing enough to protect the community? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A recent tragedy has reignited calls for action, prompting outrage, heartbreak, and difficult questions about youth crime, justice, and public safety in one Australian city.
What unfolded on an otherwise ordinary evening has left a lasting impact on a tight-knit community and the family at the heart of it.
A tight-knit Darwin community was left reeling after the fatal stabbing of a well-known local shopkeeper sparked outrage and sorrow across the Northern Territory.
Linford Feich, a 71-year-old Canadian-born grandfather, was allegedly attacked at the Friendly Grocer Nightcliff Supermarket on 23 April.
Police said Mr Feich had confronted a teenage shoplifter moments before he was fatally stabbed.
Shock and grief after Darwin store tragedy. Image source: Linford Feich
Customers, including a doctor, rushed to his aid and performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but the beloved grocer could not be revived.
Mr Feich died at the scene, surrounded by customers and staff who had known him for years.
The alleged attacker fled the scene on a bicycle, prompting a police manhunt that lasted six hours.
Shortly after midnight, the 18-year-old male suspect turned himself in to authorities.
He was charged with one count of murder on 24 April and remanded in custody to face Darwin Local Court on 28 April.
It later emerged that the accused had been on bail at the time of the incident.
He had been restricted to a remote community but was not wearing his required ankle monitoring bracelet.
Mr Feich’s wife Margaret, who had been married to him for more than 50 years, shared a heartbreaking tribute just hours after his death.
‘I am sitting here at 3:00 am too broken to go to sleep because my life has been shattered,’ she wrote.
‘My beautiful husband of 51 years was stolen from me, his children and his seven grandchildren.’
‘This is so hurtful. An 18-year-old kid has allegedly done this in a dreadful moment of anger because he was confronted with theft.’
‘The trauma it has caused to the beautiful staff who we love as family, the trauma to our beautiful customers, Linford worked so sincerely to maintain the community vibe with smiles, trust and humanity.’
‘A beautiful man, a true gentleman, and my soulmate. Gone forever. God Bless Him. RIP, my darling man.’
Witnesses who were in the store at the time described the harrowing moments before and after the stabbing.
‘As soon as we entered, we heard the voice (of the man), he tried to kick (him out), while (he was) stealing things,’ one shopper shared.
‘Two staff members directed him to the door and suddenly (he allegedly) took out a knife and stabbed the man…and he collapsed.’
Images from the scene showed the suspect being arrested by police later that night.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro posted a video message to social media on Wednesday following the incident.
‘It is devastating that we are at this point, again,’ she said.
‘Our focus right now is on the welfare of the family…every Territorian knows this not okay, and we reinforce our commitment that everything is on the table.’
‘The police and I will have more to say as the situation unfolds.’
Since taking office in August last year, Ms Finocchiaro’s government has introduced several measures to address crime across the Territory.
These included lowering the age of criminal responsibility back to 10 years and introducing stricter bail conditions for violent offenders.
Her push for reform had come in the wake of another tragedy—the fatal stabbing of bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, who was killed by a 19-year-old on bail.
The Northern Territory (NT) government had also submitted seven requests for federal assistance in tackling crime.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had agreed to one—relaxing federal laws to permit the use of police drones.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton had agreed ‘in principal’ to the other six, which included stricter income controls for parents of youth offenders and those with truant children.
Tributes continued to pour in for Mr Feich from leaders across the Northern Territory.
Federal Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said: ‘My thoughts are with the family whose lives have been impacted by this senseless attack and the first responders who rendered assistance.’
‘The Territory community is with you.’
Arnhem MP Selena Uibo added: ‘While more details are yet to emerge, one thing is clear–this kind of senseless violence has no place in our community.’
In a previous story, another frightening incident also raised alarm bells about public safety in retail spaces.
One major supermarket chain responded swiftly with a significant policy change.
You can read more about what happened and how the retailer took action.
With ongoing concerns about youth crime in the NT, do you think current bail laws are doing enough to protect the community? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
