Coroner Finds NT Police Officer's Racism May Have Played a Role in Fatal Shooting of Kumanjayi Walker
A coroner concluded that Constable Zachary Rolfe, who shot and killed Kumanjayi Walker, was racist, and his attitudes might have influenced the tragic event. The officer was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter charges. The inquest highlighted Rolfe's history of unnecessary force and racist behaviors.
Constable Zachary Rolfe was found to be racist, and it is possible that his attitudes influenced his actions on the night he shot and killed Kumanjayi Walker, according to a coroner's report.
Rolfe shot Walker, a 19-year-old Warlpiri man, three times during an attempted arrest on November 9, 2019, in Yuendumu, Northern Territory.
Despite being stabbed by Walker with a pair of scissors, Rolfe was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in March 2022. He was later dismissed from the police force for reasons unrelated to the shooting.
The coroner, Elisabeth Armitage, delivered the inquest findings in Yuendumu, stating that Rolfe's racist views may have played a role in the fatal shooting. She highlighted instances of racism within the police force and expressed concerns about Rolfe's use of force in previous arrests.
Armitage also noted that Rolfe's disregard for safety protocols and his tendency to rush into situations contributed to the shooting. She recommended changes in police training and emphasized the avoidable nature of Walker's death.
The inquest was attended by senior police officers, legal representatives, and community members, with calls for better police training and interactions with vulnerable individuals like Walker.
According to the source: The Guardian.
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