A 28-year-old male Northern Territory police officer has been charged with one count of murder for the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu on Saturday.
Mr Walker, 19, died after being shot in the central desert community located around 300 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs.
In a brief statement on Wednesday night, NT police that an officer had been charged with one count of murder and that the matter was now before the court.
A 28-year-old male Northern Territory police officer has been charged with one count of murder. As this matter is before the court, no further information will be released.
The announcement comes after days of demonstrations led by Yuendumu community members in the remote township and that saw hundreds take to the streets on Wednesday.
It is only the second time a murder charge has been laid before a coronial inquest into a death in custody.
Senior Warlpiri man, Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, welcomed the announcement telling NITV News:
"This is history. Warlipiri have done it. I feel more relief. I'm smiling now. It's safer for the children."
UPDATE: In an out-of-session local court hearing the 28-year-old police officer charged with murder over the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker has been granted bail and suspended from duty on pay. The officer will reappear in Alice Springs on December 19.
*This article was updated to correct that the police officer is not the first charged with murder for an Aboriginal death in custody before a coronial inquest.
