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Policeman charged with murder after allegedly shooting indigenous teen

Author
news.com.au / Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 15 Nov 2019, 10:56AM
A NT policeman has been charged with murder. Picture: Supplied Source:News Limited

Policeman charged with murder after allegedly shooting indigenous teen

Author
news.com.au / Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 15 Nov 2019, 10:56AM

A Northern Territory policeman charged with murder over last weekend’s alleged shooting of 19-year-old indigenous man, has been released on bail.

Kumanjayi Walker died after he was allegedly shot at Yuendumu, 300 kilometres from Alice Springs, on Saturday night when two police officers went there to arrest him for breaches of his suspended sentence.

The 28-year old male NT police officer has now been charged with one count of murder, NT Police said.

“As this matter is before the court, no further information will be released,” it added.

At a hearing on Wednesday night, the police officer named as Constable Zachary Rolfe was granted bail and suspended with pay.

According to the ABC, the NT Police Association has said he will plead not guilty.

Walker died shortly after the alleged shooting, but his family say they were not told about his death until the morning after.

Medical staff had left the community, so first aid was applied at the Yuendumu Police Station.

Constable Zachary Rolfe is understood to be interstate. Picture: Supplied

Constable Zachary Rolfe is understood to be interstate. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

The police officer involved is understood to be interstate after receiving threats since Saturday.

The death sparked massive protests in Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

In Yuendumu, members of the community performed a mourning ceremony outside the local police station and covered the outside walls with red handprints.

In an earlier statement released by police on Tuesday, officers urged people on social media to be mindful of what they posted online.

“There is a lot of public commentary especially on social media which could influence witnesses and not allow the investigation to run its full course,” it said.

“Out of respect to the deceased man, his family, Yuendumu, the wider Warlpiri community and the welfare of the officers involved, we ask that social media users are mindful of the hard work being done by the community leaders to support the grieving and maintain community safety.”

Fewer than 800 people live in the Yuendumu community.

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