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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Nino Bucci

NT police officer denies Kumanjayi Walker text was ‘angry racist message’ to ‘protect boy in blue’

Zachary Rolfe arrives for the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker 16 November, 2022.
Zachary Rolfe arrives for the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker 16 November, 2022. Photograph: Aaron Bunch/AAP

A Northern Territory sergeant who described the Aboriginal victim of a police shooting as a “shit cunt” in a text message in which he also told a colleague how to “answer his critics” in relation to the shooting has denied it was an “angry racist message designed to protect a boy in blue”.

Sergeant Ian Nankivell gave evidence on Thursday at an inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot dead by Constable Zachary Rolfe at the remote community of Yuendumu in 2019. Rolfe was cleared of criminal charges including murder in relation to the shooting.

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