2.6 Seconds: new documentary explores the history, grief and looming questions of Kumanjayi Walker’s death

The documentary 2.6 Seconds explores the circumstances leading to the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in November 2019, as well as the broader issues of policing, race, and colonial history in remote Aboriginal communities. The title refers to the two-second interval between the first and second shots fired by former police officer Zachary Rolfe during an attempted arrest.

The documentary, directed by Darren Dale, focuses on the remote Central Australian community of Yuendumu, where Walker was shot while attending his grandfather's funeral. Despite Rolfe being acquitted of charges related to Walker's death, the documentary highlights failures in his risk assessment and arrest strategy, emphasizing the need for more culturally-informed policing.

Community members, including Elders, family members, and young women, share their personal stories, grief, and determination, emphasizing the importance of truth-telling and restoring public trust in institutions. 2.6 Seconds argues that understanding the past is essential to making sense of Walker's death and the challenges faced by Aboriginal communities today.