The death of an Aboriginal teenager who was killed by police on Saturday has sparked nationwide protests in Australia.

On Wednesday night, Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe was charged with murder for shooting dead 19-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu, 266km northwest of Alice Springs.

A community spokesperson told The Telegraph that family members and witnesses said Mr Walker was unarmed and in his bedroom when police shot him just after 7pm, then handcuffed him and dragged him to a police van.

He was taken to a police station rather than a clinic or hospital. Family were prevented from entering the station to see Mr Walker, and the local clinic was not staffed due to alleged recent break-ins.

Michael Gunner, the Northern Territory Chief Minister, said health workers from the community of Yuelamu, 45km away, were contacted at 7.30pm but did not say who called them.

The ambulance arrived at 8.30pm and the crew pronounced Mr Walker dead.