In a stunning turn of events at the inquest into the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker, a 19-year-old Aboriginal man from the remote Northern Territory community of Yuendumu, the ego and fabricated evidence of the police officer responsible have been thrust into the spotlight. The revelations paint a disturbing picture of the role that unchecked police power and racial bias may have played in the tragic incident.
Officer’s Ego “Had a Lot to Do With” Fatal Shooting
According to Dr Peggy Dwyer, counsel assisting the coroner, former police constable Zachary Rolfe’s ego “had a lot to do with” the death of Kumanjayi Walker. In powerful closing statements, Dr Dwyer urged coroner Elisabeth Armitage not to “sugarcoat” Rolfe’s actions and to consider his history of using force, particularly against young Aboriginal men, to demonstrate dominance.
“Ego was wrapped up in his use of force, and ego had a lot to do with the events of November 2019.”
– Dr Peggy Dwyer, counsel assisting the coroner
The inquest heard that Rolfe had a documented pattern of seeking out situations where force might be needed and using violence to assert authority over others. His alleged contempt for the rules and tendency towards dishonesty were also highlighted as relevant factors in understanding his actions that fateful day in Yuendumu.
Fabricated Evidence of Alleged Gun Grab
Perhaps the most explosive claim to emerge is that Rolfe “invented” evidence during his trial that Walker had tried to grab his police firearm immediately before being shot three times at close range. Dr Dwyer asserted that this crucial detail, which Rolfe relied upon to argue he feared for his life, had never been mentioned in any of his prior statements or interviews about the incident.
She told the coroner that after careful consideration of all the evidence, Rolfe’s trial testimony about the alleged gun grab should be seen as “an invention” and that his credibility issues extended to a history of lying and “dissembling” on the stand. If accepted, this finding would cast serious doubt on Rolfe’s entire defense for his use of lethal force against the teenage Walker.
A Holistic Look at Systemic Issues
While much of the focus has understandably been on Rolfe’s individual actions, Dr Dwyer emphasized the importance of examining his conduct in the broader context of the NT police force and the challenges faced by Aboriginal youths like Walker who are caught up in the criminal justice system from an early age due to family violence and intergenerational trauma.
“Kumanjayi Walker’s story exemplifies exactly what your honour has said in the context of the family violence inquest … To avoid another tragedy we need a holistic approach that recognises the strengths and challenges of children in Yuendumu and remote communities like it.”
– Dr Peggy Dwyer, counsel assisting the coroner
The case has shone a harsh light on the deep-seated issues of racism, power imbalances, and the lack of trust between police and Aboriginal communities in Australia. As the inquest nears its conclusion and the NT braces for the coroner’s final findings in 2025, there are calls for a wider reckoning and urgent reforms to address the systemic failures that many say lie at the heart of this devastating loss of a young life.
While nothing can bring back Kumanjayi Walker or erase the pain inflicted on his family and community, it is hoped that the truths uncovered through this inquest will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change and justice. The nation waits to see whether this tragedy will be a turning point or yet another shameful chapter in Australia’s long history of Indigenous deaths in custody.
