US cop shoots Aussie dead
Sydney woman killed after she made a 911 call
THE family and friends of an Australian woman shot dead in the US by police, after calling 911 to report a possible assault, are demanding answers from authorities.
Justine Damond, 40, from Sydney was shot by police in south Minneapolis about 11pm on Saturday local time.
Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges said the incident had made her “heartsick”.
Mrs Damond died following an “officerinvolved shooting”, Minneapolis police said.
According to the Star Tribune, three sources said Ms Damond was in her pyjamas when a police car responding to a 911 call pulled into the alley behind her family home in the city’s Fulton neighbourhood.
She approached the driver’s side door in her pyjamas and spoke to the driver.
The officer in the passenger seat then shot Ms Damond through the driver’s side door, according to the publication.
The incident is the subject of an investigation but authorities have said the officers who responded to the 911 call did not have their body cameras turned on.
“At one point one officer fired their weapon, fatally striking a woman,” the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said.
The dead woman’s partner was Don Damond.
His son, Zach Damond, said Ms Damond “heard a noise in the alley and called the police”.
“She was out on 51st Street and she was shot,” Zach said.
He said Justine was his “best friend”.
“Basically my mum was shot for reasons I don’t know,” Zach said in a video posted on Facebook on Monday morning (AEST).
“I just know she heard a sound in the alley so then she called the police and the cops showed up and she was a very passionate woman.
“She probably thought something bad was happening and then, next thing I know, they take my best friend’s life.
“I demand answers. If anybody can help, just call police and demand answers.
“I’m so done with all this violence. It’s so much bulls**t. America sucks.”
Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges said she intended to find out why the officers’ body cameras were not turned on.
“As mayor of our city, a wife, and a grandmother, I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by what occurred last night,” she posted on Facebook.
Ms Damond was to be married to Don Damond, 50, in August, according to Hannah, a close family friend, the Star Tribune reports.
Mr Damond was on a business trip and returned home Sunday afternoon after the tragedy occurred.
Hannah said the woman worked as “a spiritual healer” and that “she was the most loving woman” who “kind of flowed through the house so lightly”.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy.
Local media is reporting Minneapolis Police Department policy does not allow for the deactivation of police body cameras while performing duties.