Aboriginal woman with mental health issues was shot dead by an unnamed policeman last year - now a fundraiser for justice has gone viral and raised almost $100,000
- Joyce Clarke, 29, was shot dead by police at a Geraldton home last September
- She had recently been released from prison for stealing a mobile phone
- Ms Clarke allegedly lunged at a constable who fatally shot her in the stomach
- A GoFundMe has already raised over $92,200 for Ms Clarke's mother and son
Ms Clarke, 29, was allegedly armed with a knife when a constable shot her outside a home in Geraldton on September 17
A fundraiser has gone viral for the family of Joyce Clarke - an indigenous woman who was shot and killed by a police officer in Western Australia last year.
Ms Clarke, 29, was allegedly armed with a knife when a constable, whose name is suppressed, shot her outside a home in Geraldton on September 17.
The young mother, who had mental issues, had recently been released from Bandyup prison for stealing a mobile phone. Her family called police after she started behaving erratically.
Eight officers got out of their cars and approached Ms Clarke, who allegedly lunged at a constable who fatally shot her in the stomach.
He was charged with murder and pleaded not guilty late last month.
Family friend Debbie Kilroy has since set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Ms Joyce's mother and son to travel and attend court hearings concerning the murder charges.
'The police officer has pleaded not guilty and the court process will be prolonged and traumatic for Joyce's mother Aunty Anne, Joyce's son, the family and community,' Ms Kilroy said.
'The police officer has pleaded not guilty and the court process will be prolonged and traumatic for Aunty Anne, Joyce's son, the family and community.
'Joyce was a mother, daughter, sister, aunty and friend. We all knew Joyce as a bright, friendly girl who lit up the room with her smile when she walked in and in the most tragic of circumstances she was taken too early.'
In just six days, the crowdfunding effort has already raised more than $92,245 of its $95,000 goal.
Eight officers got out of their cars and approached her, before Ms Clarke - who had mental health issues - allegedly lunged at a constable who fatally shot her in the stomach. Pictured: The scene of the fatal shooting
In just six days, the crowdfunding effort has already raised more than $92,245 of its $95,000 goal
Ms Clarke had mental health issues and once set fire to her cell because she believed there were 'spirits' there.
Her death sparked outrage among the community, with large crowds of locals gathering outside Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and the local police station.
Grieving locals hurled abuse at officers and calling them dogs in the wake of her death.
Share this article
Ms Clarke leaves behind a seven-year-old son, who's cared for by Ms Clarke's foster mother Anne Jones.
At least 432 Aboriginal people have died in custody since the 1991 Royal Commission, which investigated 99 such deaths from 1980 to 1989.
Aboriginals make up 28 per cent of Australia's prison inmates despite only being three per cent of the country's population.
Her death sparked outrage among the community, with large crowds of locals gathering outside Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and the local police station
