Twelve police officers have been injured after angry protesters launched bottle "missiles" at them outside a WA court as tensions flared over the death of a 14 -year-old Aboriginal boy.
A 55-year-old man charged with manslaughter was due to appear in Kalgoorlie Courthouse on Tuesday morning, but an estimated crowd of around 400 protesters, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants, disrupted proceedings.
It is believed the deceased was riding a stolen motorcycle before a crash involving the bike and the accused man's utility vehicle in bushland off Clancy Street in Boulder.
Police in riot gear moved in when the protesters turned violent as officers were pelted with bottles, rocks were thrown at the court building and windows were smashed.
Western Australian Police posted on Facebook that the investigation into the teenager's death was ongoing.
"Members of the public have a right to protest, however, we encourage them to do so peacefully, or they may be arrested," the statement read.
"Officers will maintain a strong visible presence in the community and will take action against those identified as breaking the law."
Aboriginal leaders were also working closely with police.
Some signs held by peaceful protesters read: "All lives matter. Save our kids. Australia against racism."
A spokeswoman for WA courts said in a statement that measures had been put in place to ensure all staff and court users in the building were safe and secure.
"A full inquiry will be held into the circumstances of this morning's disturbance," she said.
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder acting mayor Allan Pendal told AAP some surrounding shops shut down.
"Some have locked themselves in their shops and they're extremely upset," he said.
"It's a sad occasion and we've just got to let the police and the courts do their jobs.
"You can understand why people are upset in these circumstances but we need to be law abiding."
The boy's aunty said his death was the third in the family over the past few weeks and they were reeling from the tragedy.
"He was a very happy-go-lucky kid. He was never a bad kid," she told the Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper.
"He was always someone who lifted other people's spirits whenever times were hard."
The man, who cannot be named, was eventually able to appear in court and was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court in Perth via video link on Wednesday.
City chief executive John Walker told AAP that after calm was restored, street sweepers were sent in to clean up the debris.
He said an area had been set up for the community to grieve, which included portable toilets and a barbecue, with a vigil planned for the evening.
