Snap action for Alice Springs over Yuendumu man shot by police

People will take to the streets today in a snap action in Alice Springs in support of the Yuendumu community after a young indigenous man was shot dead by police.

A policeman wearing a bullet proof vest walks into Alice Springs Hospital after Arnold Walker was shot in Yuendumu. Picture: Emma Murray

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People will take to the streets today in a snap action in Alice Springs in support of the Yuendumu community after a young indigenous man was shot dead by police.

The 19-year-old, Kumanjayi Walker, was shot by police in the 800 person community – about 300km north west of Alice Springs – about 5pm on Saturday afternoon, with police stating on Facebook about 7.30pm, he was in a critical condition.

The community surrounded the police station after police reportedly took Mr Walker into the station after he had been shot, and locked themselves in there.

A notice for a snap action in Alice Springs in support of the Yuendumu community. Picture: Twitter

It created great anger, some of which spilt onto Facebook. There were allegations police would not update his condition to people outside the compound.

Family members said an ambulance did not arrive until three hours later and a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane didn’t take off for Alice Springs until 11pm and even then they did not know if it was Mr Walker on it or a police officer.

“How do you have the time to post an update on here but won’t come outside and tell his family how he is?” Taylee Marie Healy wrote.

“Why can you post this on Facebook but not come outside and let people know how he is?” Liam Campbell

Mr Walker’s family question a police officer at the Alice Springs Hospital, hoping to find out if he is still alive. Picture: Emma Murray

Some of Mr Walker’s family members spoke to the Centralian Advocate about 1am on Sunday morning as they were waiting outside the Alice Springs Hospital.

They were also very angry said they had not been told of his condition, over even if he was Alice.

Police had taken Mr Walker to the police station where they locked themselves inside.

Local Member of the Legislative Assembly, Scott McConnell told the ABC here were no medical staff on the ground.

“Stand up in solidarity with Yuendumu community where police have shot a young First Nations man. Justice now!” the flyer for the action reads.

The flyer was being shared on social media within hours of the news of Mr Walker’s shooting becoming public.

The action will be held from 10am on the Courthouse lawns.