Police have charged one of their own with murdering an Aboriginal teenager in the Northern Territory.
The incident, which happened on the weekend in a remote part of the territory called Yuendumu, has sparked protests around the country.
Northern Territory Police have released a statement: "A 28-year-old male Northern Territory police officer has been granted bail in an out-of-session Local Court hearing to appear in Alice Springs on December 19, 2019.
"The officer has been suspended on pay. As this matter is before the court, no further information will be released."
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Constable Zachary Rolfe has been released on bail and will await his December court date for the murder of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker.
It's alleged that he shot the 19-year-old in Yuendumu, 300km from Alice Springs.
The teenager was taken to the local police station after the incident however he died as a result of the gunshot wound. The matter is being treated a 'death in custody' by the coroner.
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Ned Hargraves, a senior elder in the community, told the ABC: "I am overwhelmed for the news today.
"We couldn't have made it without the peoples around us right across the cities and the remote communities that have helped us to fight this.
"I am over the bloody moon. At least I'm more relaxed now, at ease."
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has called for calm as police continue their investigation.
"As this matter is now before the court I cannot offer any commentary," Mr Gunner wrote on Facebook.
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"This is a sad time for all involved. It is a time of high emotion.
"What I can say, and what is more critical than ever to remember, is that all members of our police force serve us day in night out, keep us safe and often put themselves in harms way. They will be hurting and will need our support.
"We also have many people in Yuendumu and around the Territory who are hurting and grieving.
"I ask that everyone at this extremely difficult time is as respectful and peaceful as possible. As Territorians we have been through challenging times before, our history shows we always support each other and we will again."
Featured Image Credit: Channel 9