Why did cop kill pyjama-clad woman?
UNITED STATES: The fiance of the Australian woman shot dead by a police officer near their home in Minneapolis on Sunday has described her as a loving and generous woman, while pleading with local authorities for more information about her last moments alive.
Justine Damond, 40, was shot dead in an alley after phoning 911 to report what she believed was a sexual assault occurring nearby.
She went outside in her pyjamas, and a short time later was shot dead by a police officer, who has been identified as Mohamed Noor.
Her tearful fiance, Don Damond, gave a brief statement yesterday, supported by family members.
‘‘Our hearts are broken, and we are utterly devastated by the loss of Justine.
‘‘Sadly, her family and I have been provided with almost no additional information from law enforcement regarding what happened after police arrived,’’ he said.
‘‘We lost the dearest of people, and we are desperate for information. Piecing together Justine’s last moments, before the homicide, would be a small comfort as we grieve this tragedy.’’
The state body investigating the shooting said one officer fired his gun at the woman and that no other weapon was found at the scene, confirming Damond was unarmed at the time.
Audio released yesterday by Minnesota Police Clips revealed the officers calling in the incident to the dispatcher. ‘‘Shots fired ... we have one down,’’ one of the officers says.
Several local media outlets have reported the officer was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle when he fired the fatal shots, but what precisely led to the shooting remains a mystery.
The police officers’ body cameras were not turned on at the time of the shooting, a fact that has already been condemned by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Don Damond echoed friends and family of his fiancee in describing her as a woman with a warm and loving nature.
A trained veterinarian who later became a meditation teacher, yoga instructor and life coach, Justine Damond moved to the US in 2015 to be with Damond, taking his surname even before they were married. Their wedding was due to take place next month. –