UPDATE:
US police officer Mohamed Noor who fatally shot 40-year-old Australian woman, Justine Damond last July has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
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.
Previously:
The president of the Minneapolis Police Officers Federation Bill Kroll has defended the police officer who shot dead Australian woman Justine Damond outside her home.
Justine was gunned down by Mohamed Noor while wearing her pyjamas after she’d called the police to report a distressed woman in the alleyway next to her house.
The shooting occurred just weeks before she was due to marry her long-time love, Don Damond.
Police union boss Kroll has now sensationally defended Noor’s actions in the Star Tribune.
He was angered by Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman who said he was “saddened by the death of this fine young woman” and that the shooting “shouldn’t have happened”.
Apparently this showed a “lack of professionalism”. You can read an excerpt of his article below:
If the goal is to be fair and balanced in response to concerns voiced by the community, then we need to be sure that the community is aware of hard facts affecting the daily lives of officers and citizens.
Police officers are being killed at an increasing rate. Worse, irresponsible comments by public officials are fueling the creation of police widows and widowers.
The death of Damond is a tragedy by anyone’s standards, as is the death of any person we know and love. Freeman should be well-acquainted with these tragedies and should be able to answer a simple question — “why officer Mohamed Noor wasn’t sitting in jail as a civilian would be after a deadly shooting.”
Officer Noor’s treatment is in line with other citizens following shootings. There are many examples of cooperative citizens being detained but not arrested, as was the case for Noor.
For Freeman to say he cannot answer this question because he has not thought about it that way is concerning, because it shows he is not familiar with the fair treatment of either police or civilians. The reality is that when any investigation goes on past the first 36 to 48 hours, people are not held in jail until a charging decision is made. After that decision, all citizens are entitled to bail or release on conditions.
Officer Noor.
Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has now completed a preliminary investigation into Justine’s shooting. A prosecutor will now decide if Mohamed Noor will be charged.
County lawyer Mike Freeman said he’s considering a murder charge against Noor. The disgraced Officer Noor has refused to give a statement to police.
While a murder charge is being considered, Freeman says a a charge of second-degree manslaughter is more likely.
Justine’s fiancé Don Damond released the following statement: “The wait continues for Justine’s family and me”.
“We want to see justice for Justine and hope that the Hennepin County Attorney will act swiftly to review the findings and determine charges.”
The Star Tribune reports Freeman will make his decision by the end of the year.
Justine with fiancé Don and stepson, Zach.
