Australian woman Justine Damond was just weeks away from marrying her long time love, Don Damond when she was fatally shot in the stomach by a police officer.
Justine had called police twice after hearing a “distressed” woman in the alleyway outside her house in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
When police responded to the call, Justine was fatally shot outside her home on July 14th last year. She was wearing her pyjamas at the time.
Reports state Officer Mohamed Noor shot Justine after she “startled” him in the dark.
A US medical examiner ruled the 40-year-old’s death a homicide.
Mohamed Noor, 32-year-old, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, he turned himself in after a warrant for his arrest was issued this week.
Following this, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman gave new insights into the final moments of Justine’s life.
Mohamed Noor is pictured centre.
“In the short time between when Ms Damond Ruszczyk approached the squad car and the time that officer Noor fired the fatal shot, there is no evidence that officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force,” Mr Freeman said during a press conference.
“Instead officer Noor intentionally and recklessly fired his handgun from the passenger seat in disregard for human life.”
Justine’s final words were also revealed as “I’m dying” or “I’m dead”.
CPR was then attempted, but Justine died at the scene.
Justine’s father and fiance, Don Damond, issued a statement explaining they are pleased with the conviction, though “no charges can bring our Justine back.”
“However, justice demands accountability for those responsible for recklessly killing the fellow citizens they are sworn to protect, and today’s actions reflect that,” the statement concluded.
As Mohamed Noor faces court this week, his supporters claim the treatment he is receiving is because he is an ‘immigrant, African-American Muslim’.
‘He killed a white woman, that’s why he’s there today. The system failed him,’ one of Noor’s supporters told Seven news.
