Hundreds of people marched in Kalgoorlie on Saturday, protesting the possible parole of a man who ran over and killed a 14-year-old boy.

Elijah Doughty died when he was run over by the man driving a Nissan Navara in August 2016. The man had pursued Doughty, believing the motorbike Doughty was riding had earlier been stolen from his home.

The man who was sentenced to three years in jail for running down Doughty in bushland reportedly has a parole hearing this week, and may be released just 18 months after his conviction for dangerous driving causing death. He was acquitted on a charge of manslaughter.

Family and friends of the child maintain Doughty was murdered.

“He should have got more time. He got a slap on the wrist in other words. It sends the wrong message: you kill a black and you can get away with it,” Doughty’s grandfather, Albert, told the ABC at the protest.

His grandmother Rhonda Tucker said the march was calling for justice. “18 months is not enough.”

A small number of counter-protesters confronted the rally, holding signs which read “all lives matter”, “harsher measures for all crime”, and “Kalgoorlie residents have had enough”.

A number of protesters noted the increasing tension in the town, exacerbated by Doughty’s death.

A leaflet calling for a “cull a thief day” was found outside the Kalgoorlie train station.

“If a thief was to steal my motorbike, I would run him down with my Nissan Navara,” it said in large red writing.

It then added “cull a thief day, justice is served”.

A picture of the leaflet was posted to Facebook by Kalgoorlie resident, Jacqueline Spurling.

“It’s sad to know I live in a town with people that supports killing children for material possessions,” said Spurling. “Whoever you are that took the time to create this rubbish & used the ink to print front & back, LEAVE!”

Kalgoorlie police were unable to comment if they were investigating the leaflet.

Despite the counter-protest and leaflet, police said the march remained peaceful after organisers worked with authorities ahead of the event.

In the days following Doughty’s death, people rioted outside the courthouse, throwing rocks and damaging police cars. Local social media pages began calling for vigilante justice against juvenile crime.

The man’s identity has been suppressed for his protection and was sent to an unnamed jail. His family fled interstate and their house was burned down.