Police officer who shot and killed Kumunjayi Walker has been in force since 2016

FACEBOOK is removing posts naming and publishing images of the police officer who shot and killed Kumunjayi Walker in Yuendumu while the NT Police Association president has said he’s appalled by social media posts about the officers involved.

Alice Springs residents held a protest outside the town's police station after the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Kumunjayi Walker in Yuendumu on Sunday. Picture: Emma Murray

• Yuendumu clinic staff evacuated after break-ins: government
• The last minutes of Kumunjayi Walker’s life
• Who was Kumunjayi Walker? His family speaks
• ‘Shame, shame, shame!’: protesters cry over Yuendumu death

FACEBOOK is removing posts naming and publishing images of the police officer who shot and killed Kumunjayi Walker in Yuendumu while the NT Police Association president has said he’s appalled by social media posts about the officers involved.

NT Police have also raised concerns of social media influencing witnesses.

The officer was previously in the army and had been a serving cop for just short of three years.

One message outed the officer and described him as a “white dog” and that he will “die mutha fu**a”.

In a statement NTPA President, Paul McCue – who is in Alice Springs – said he had spoken directly with the officers involved and said he was appalled by recent, irresponsible, social media posts.

The police officer who shot Kumunjayi Walker looking through a hole in the Yuendumu Police Station fence on Saturday night. Picture: Facebook

RELATED

SHOOTING shattered town’s ‘hope for the future’

WHAT we know of the Yuendumu shooting

Teen ‘lunged’ at police and was shot: Acting Commissioner

“It is incomprehensible that nothing more than innuendo and rumour is being posted on social media, while an active investigation is currently underway into the circumstances surrounding the shooting,” he said.

“These officers are highly respected members of the police force and have served the community of the Northern Territory, including Central Australia, for some time.

The family Kumunjayi Walker question a police officer at the Alice Springs Hospital late on Saturday night, hoping to find out if he was still alive. Picture: EMMA MURRAY

“To brandish irresponsible language about those officers involved before knowing the facts is disrespectful to them and their families.

“They are brave officers whose job is to serve and protect the community, putting their life on the line every day in doing so.

“It is time for calm. We must respect the formal investigation process into the circumstances around this tragic event.”

Kumunjayi Walker. Picture: Facebook

NT Police also issued a statement saying it acknowledged the Yuendumu and Warlpiri community’s grief but public commentary especially on social media could influence witnesses and not allow the investigation to run its full course.

It said the investigation into the death was being overseen by senior West Australian police officer and current NT Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Anticich.

With further oversight from the NT Ombudsman and the NT ICAC.

The NT News understands the officer has been flown out of the Territory while a thorough investigation takes place.

Police said the officer was stabbed in the shoulder before he discharged his firearm three times, resulting in the death of Mr Walker, 19.

Police sources told the NT News he was stabbed with a pair of scissors.