Police officer who shot Aboriginal teen was 'racist', inquest finds
Summary
In a 2019 incident, police officer Zachary Rolfe shot and killed Kumanjayi Walker, a 19-year-old Indigenous Australian, in the community of Yuendumu. An inquest found that Rolfe had a "racist" attitude and criticized the police force for systemic racism. Judge Elisabeth Armitage called Walker's death "avoidable" and made 32 recommendations to improve police practices, including improved anti-racism policies.Key Facts
- Kumanjayi Walker, an Indigenous teenager, died after being shot by police officer Zachary Rolfe in Yuendumu, Northern Territory, in 2019.
- A coroner's inquest found that Rolfe held racist views and was drawn to high-risk policing.
- Judge Elisabeth Armitage described Walker's death as preventable and noted systemic racism within the Northern Territory police force.
- Rolfe was charged with murder but was acquitted in 2022, leading to protests over Indigenous deaths in custody.
- The judge criticized Rolfe for ignoring an arrest plan and making decisions that unnecessarily endangered himself and others.
- The inquiry concluded with 32 recommendations for changes, including stronger anti-racism measures and mutual respect agreements about police carrying guns.
- Walker had threatened police with an axe days before the incident, and during the arrest, he stabbed Rolfe before being shot.
- The incident raised concerns about police handling of arrests in Indigenous communities.
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