Family hopes for change as inquest draws to an end
Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019.
The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said.
"We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement.
In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force.
Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog.
It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday.
"Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said.
"Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death.
"We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming."
During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory.
Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words".
"If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said.
"If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome.
"But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest.
Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019.
The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said.
"We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement.
In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force.
Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog.
It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday.
"Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said.
"Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death.
"We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming."
During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory.
Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words".
"If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said.
"If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome.
"But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest.
Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019.
The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said.
"We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement.
In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force.
Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog.
It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday.
"Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said.
"Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death.
"We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming."
During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory.
Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words".
"If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said.
"If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome.
"But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest.
Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019.
The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said.
"We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement.
In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force.
Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog.
It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday.
"Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said.
"Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death.
"We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming."
During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory.
Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words".
"If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said.
"If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome.
"But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
SBS Australia
3 hours ago
- SBS Australia
'This was never about race': Zachary Rolfe rejects inquest findings as Warlpiri call for peace
Warning: this article contains distressing and violent content and the name of an Aboriginal person who has died. Zachary Rolfe has defended himself against scathing coronial inquest criticism that he was racist and that there is a risk that this racism affected his interactions with the community of Yuendumu on the day he shot and killed Kumanjayi Walker. On Monday Coroner Elisabeth Armitage travelled to the Yuendumu community to hand down the report finalising the coronial inquest. Rolfe fatally shot 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man, Kumanjayi Walker, during an attempted arrest in Yuendumu on November 9, 2019. The inquest commenced in September 2022 after the six-week jury trial that acquitted the former Northern Territory police officer of all charges, finding he acted in self-defence and in line with his police training. Judge Armitage outlined 32 recommendations, finding that Rolfe was racist and that she could not exclude the possibility that his attitudes played an integral role in the teenager's death. She said she was satisfied that on at least five occasions prior to Kumanjayi's death Rolfe used unnecessary force and that there were other occasions in which force was avoidable. "There were instances where Mr Rolfe used force without proper regard for the risk of injury to persons, all of whom were Aboriginal boys or men, and significant injuries were caused to suspects because of his use of force," she said. The coroner said he sought out situations in which force was necessary because he "found combat situations exhilarating and had an interest in adrenaline-style policing". Rolfe 'entitled to the presumption of innocence' Rolfe's lawyers, Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers, released a statement on his behalf, saying that he is "entitled to the presumption of innocence that follows the not guilty verdict". They said Rolfe "does not accept" any findings inconsistent with his acquittal particularly those relating to his conduct on November 9, 2019, or the finding that "he subverted Sergeant Frost and instituted his own plan". He also denied criticism that he acted outside of his operational safety training, and ignored training. "Constable Rolfe was violently stabbed despite his polite and calm disposition – all of which is self-evident from the body worn video that he wore when this incident occurred," they said. "The evidence was that it was not a minor injury, it could have been lethal." The lawyers criticised the inquest for its "focus" on Rolfe's training. Insofar as some may hold a view to the contrary, this was never about race. 'Far beyond her remit' The lawyers were critical of Coroner Armitage's findings, saying that some of them "do not sit well" with the jury's verdict at the trial. They also questioned the proper scope of a coronial inquest, saying they can become "a roving royal commission" without appropriate regulation and accused Judge Armitage of going beyond her duties. "The true purpose of a coronial inquest is to establish the cause and circumstances of death, and in this case the Coroner went far beyond her remit." Addressing racism in the NT Police In handing down her findings, Judge Armitage took aim at the Northern Territory Police Force, directing 18 recommendations at the institution. She noted "all forms of racism" were present in the NT Police "at various times" and requested their anti-racism strategy be bolstered and made public. "The NT police force must take steps through its training, supervision, culture and leadership to ensure racist attitudes do not develop and, if they do, they are identified and corrected and are not tolerated or condoned," she said. "Concerning racism, there was direct evidence of clearly racist comments made by Mr Rolfe and between Mr Rolfe and his superiors in the lead up to Kumanjayi's death, ... text messages that ... contained extremely racist names and references to Aboriginal people." Northern Territory Acting Police Commissioner Martin Dole described the findings as "confronting". "It is a truth that we must face. What was tolerated in the past will no longer be acceptable," he told media on Tuesday. "We are committed to stamping out racism in all its forms, and making this a safer, fairer organisation for everybody." He did not comment on whether the institution would accept the related recommendations but said they "deserve to be considered properly, thoroughly and with the seriousness that they warrant". "Our response will take time because it must be meaningful and enduring," he said. NT Police acting commissioner Martin Dole speaks to Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, senior Warlpiri Elder in Yuendumu, Northern Territory, Monday, July 7th, 2025. Source: AAP / Keira Jenkins/AAP Image 'We felt like racism killed Kumanjayi' Family members of Kumanjayi Walker have called on the Northern Territory Police for a ceasefire in response to the Coroner's report. "In future when we work with the police, it needs to be two ways of working and understanding," said Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, senior Warlpiri Elder from Yuendumu. "The First Nations, Indigenous people, we have the first solution and we need to take back our rights, our rights to run the community and to have peace." Uncle Ned said the findings relating to racism were truth. The coroner talked about the racists in the Northern Territory today – she has told the truth. Kumanjayi Walker's cousin, Samara Fernandez-Brown, said while the coronial inquest was traumatising, the family have found some closure. "We've heard things throughout the inquest that have broken our hearts," she said. "But, when we heard the coroner say that there was structural and entrenched racism in the NT police, we felt validated as a family, because to us, we felt like racism killed Kumanjayi." Lifeline 13 11 14
ABC News
18 hours ago
- ABC News
What will the Coroner's recommendations mean for policing in the northern Territory?
On today's program: The implications of the Coroner's findings into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker are reverberating around the Northern Territory. On Monday, NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage handed down her findings in the remote community of Yuendumu where the young indigenous man died in a fatal police shooting. She's made 32 recommendations for change - many focused on the NT Police and dealing with what she called "institutionalised racism". NT Police Association President Nathan Finn says those findings aren't indicative of the entire workforce. Reporter: Sinead Mangan with Melissa Mackay in Yuendumu Pilbara suburbs dominated a recent report of locations cheaper to buy in than rent. But housing constraints and a growing population mean purchasing a house is easier said than done. The City of Karratha is investing in housing projects and has renewed policies to assist some workers with rental costs. Reporter: Mietta Adams (Karratha) CT scanners are hard to come by in rural and remote areas, where patients with serious injuries must often be transferred to major cities for imaging. Monash University hopes to change that with a new, lightweight mobile CT scanner that can conduct full-body scans and fit into a normal-sized vehicle. The university is part of a partnership trialling the technology in the United States that it hopes to bring to Australia. Reporter: Danielle Kutchel (Gippsland)
SBS Australia
a day ago
- SBS Australia
"Cease fire": Warlpiri Elder's plea in the wake of Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest
Warning: this article includes distressing and violent content and the name of Aboriginal people who have passed. Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, senior Warlpiri Elder from Yuendumu, has called on the Northern Territory police for a ceasefire. On Monday Coroner Elisabeth Armitage released her long-awaited report into the death of Kumanjayi Walker. Kumanjayi Walker, a 19-year-old Walpiri-Luritja man was shot three times and killed by then NT police constable Zachary Rolfe during an attempted arrest in Yuendumu on November 9, 2019. Ms Armitage made 32 recommendations, including that NT Police strengthen their anti-racism strategy and make it public. In her report, Ms Armitage said she had found Mr Rolfe was racist and she could not exclude the possibility his attitudes played an integral part in the 19-year-old's death. Samara Fernandez-Brown and Uncle Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves. Speaking the day after the coroner released her report, Uncle Ned said the Warlpiri people of Yuendumu need the truth to be found and told. "We need to let the world know what has been happening to us," he said. "The coroner talked about the racists in the Northern Territory today – she has told the truth. "In future when we work with the police, it needs to be two ways of working and understanding. "The First Nations, Indigenous people, we have the first solution and we need to take back our rights, our rights to run the community and to have peace." Broken hearts Samara Fernandez-Brown, Kumanjayi Walker's cousin, said the coronial inquest, which began in September 2022 and experienced several delays, had been a huge journey for the family. "We've heard things throughout the inquest that have broken our hearts but, when we heard the coroner say that there was structural and entrenched racism in the NT police, we felt validated as a family, because to us, we felt like racism killed Kumanjayi," she said. Ms Fernandez-Brown said she was disappointed that the recommendations about police accountability weren't stronger. "We heard countless evidence about how the police have been racist, how they have been violent, and how they use too much force when it comes to our people," she said. "So that was disappointing but, in saying that, hearing some of the things around the coroner finding that Kumanjayi didn't reach for Rolfe's gun was really important to us as a family, because we felt like that was a lie. "We also heard that the coroner said that the entry into my grandmother and Kumanjayi's grandmother's house was unlawful – they did not get permission to enter." The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) welcomed the Coroner's recommendations to reform the NT police complaints system, but said they were disappointed the Coroner did not recommend an independent oversight body. "We stand with Kumanjayi Walker's family, community, and Yuendumu in their fight for truth and justice, and support the family's calls for police accountability," NAAJA chairperson Theresa Roe said. "Now is the time to stop, talk and focus on a better way forward." Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss says the coronial findings are a painful, but powerful, reminder of the urgent need for sweeping reform across police and justice systems to fully address ongoing injustices against First Peoples. 'This has been a slow, painful six years towards something that will never deliver complete justice for Kumanjayi Walker or the Yuendumu community,' Commissioner Kiss said. 'My heart continues to break for them, and all First Peoples families suffering over the national shame which is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody. "As the coroner said emphatically, this death should not have happened." Commissioner Kiss said Kumanjayi was a loving and much-loved young man, who was failed by the justice system even before the night of his death. "His history of trauma and intellectual disability were not adequately addressed during his time in detention," she said. 'Racism is running rife in our institutions, and it lies at the heart of these shocking injustices, but today marks a powerful moment. "These findings, delivered on the lands of Yuendumu people – Kumanjayi Walker's people – not only outline who, and what, is to blame, but offer a clear pathway for reform. 'Like the coroner, I sincerely hope these findings will help prevent further tragedies.' Since the start of 2025, there have been 13 Aboriginal deaths in custody. This includes the May death of another young Walpiri man, Kumanjayi White, who passed after being restrained by police at an Alice Springs supermarket and was Uncle Ned's grandson. "Another one gets killed. This is my family, so I've got a I've got to bear with that, so it's not good," Uncle Ned said. "I do have a message ... cease fire." The Warlpiri community and Justice For Walker campaign have been calling for police to stop carrying guns when they go to Yuendumu, with Uncle Ned saying he was disappointed that Acting NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole had not honoured his word and stayed in community for a discussion after the coroner delivered her findings. Ms Fernandez-Brown said she drew hope from the coroner's recommendation to return control back to the Yuendumu community, which had been taken as part of the NT Intervention in 2007. "I wouldn't necessarily hold my breath and hope for the Northern Territory police to change," she said. "I'd like to see structural change, but perhaps moving away from police and moving around community based solutions and accountability and structures that are safe. "At the moment, the Northern Territory is inherently unsafe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. "Asking the Northern Territory police to become safe is unsustainable and it's a band aid solution, so I'd like to see a structure that replaces that altogether."
