Pictured: The US police officer 'who shot an Australian woman, 40, dead'

Pictured: The US police officer 'who shot an Australian woman, 40, dead' in her pyjamas while his body camera was switched off - as it's revealed she moved to America to be with the love of her life

By Hannah Moore and Josh Hanrahan For Daily Mail Australia12:16 EDT 17 Jul 2017

• Justine Damond was shot dead by police after calling 911 on Saturday night

• She had reportedly been speaking to police through the driver's side window

• Ms Damond was shot by officer sitting in the passenger seat through driver door

• Mohamed Noor has been named as the officer who shot 40-year-old Australian

• His lawyer Tom Plunkett confirmed he fired his weapon on Saturday night

• Friends say Ms Damond had spoken out against gun laws in America previously

• She moved to Minnesota to marry 'rockstar love of her life', Don Damond, 50

The identity of the police officer who shot and killed Australian woman Justine Damond has been revealed.



Cop Mohammed Noor is reported to have shot Ms Damond, 40, multiple times outside her home in Minneapolis, KSTP reported.

Mr Noor's lawyer, Tom Plunkett, confirmed the officer had fired his weapon to CBS.

'We take this seriously with great compassion for all persons who are being touched by this,' Mr Plunkett said.

Mr Noor has been working as a police officer since early 2015, and holds a degree in business administration and economics from Augsburg College.

He is the first Somali-American officer to work in Minneapolis' 5th precinct, reported KSTP. The officer has been suspended while an investigation into the shooting continues.

Ms Damond was shot dead in an alleyway behind her home about 11.30pm on Saturday night, while wearing her pyjamas, reports say.


Community leader: Officer Noor met with Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges in 2016 where she praised him for joining the police force

Meeting and greeting: Mayor Hodges posted this picture of Officer Noor in his uniform to her Facebook page in 2016 along with a tribute to him


She had called 911 to attend a noise and possible assault in the alley, and was reportedly speaking to two officers through the drivers side window when the officer in the front passenger seat shot her through the drivers side door.

Neighbours told The Star Tribune they came out of their home to investigate the flashing lights and saw police trying to revive Ms Damond, who was lying on the ground.

• Police frantically tried to resuscitate her as she lay dying.

Ms Damond had a well-known stance against guns, and there was no way she would have been armed on Saturday night, her friend Hannah, 21, told the paper.

She also explained Ms Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, often spoke about the benefits of Australia's tight gun control.

Despite her misgivings, Ms Damond had elected to give up her life in Sydney for one in Minneapolis, where she lived with her fiance Don, who she described as the 'amazing, handsome hilarious, rockstar love of my life'.


Justine Damond (pictured)


Ms Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, was originally from Sydney but had been living in the US for three years and was engaged to marry American businessman Don Damond (right), 50, in August


Ms Damond was due to marry fiance Mr Damond, a former musician, in August, and become a step-mother to his 22-year-old son Zach.

At the time of the shooting Mr Damond, the vice president of Little Six Casino, was away on business.

Her soon-to-be stepson Zach was reportedly also not at the home on Saturday night, returning on Sunday to discover the crime scene.

And just hours after the shooting he spoke to a local activist group, slamming police over the death of Ms Damond - who he called his 'best friend'.

'Basically my mum's dead because a police officer shot her for reasons I don't know,' Zach Damond said.

'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.

'She was a very passionate woman, she thought something bad was happening - and next thing you know they take my best friend's life.'



Ms Damond was shot in an alleyway on 51st Street in the Fulton neighbourhood (pictured)

Just hours after the shooting Zach Damond (pictured), her heartbroken soon-to-be stepson, spoke with close friends of the woman and slammed police over her death




Ms Damond had previously spoken out against US gun laws and said it was better in Australia, where there is tight gun control

He told ABC he hoped something positive could come from the tragedy.

'I only hope this evolves into something that can make a positive impact for the world,' he said.

Family friend Julia Reed addressed media on Monday, and said the woman would be 'undoubtedly' very missed.

'She was treasured and loved - we will miss her dreadfully,' she said.

Ms Reed, who had known Ms Damond for 32 years, said she would miss: '[Justine's] energy, intelligence, and the joy she brought to my life'.

Friend Marcus Ritchie mourned 'one of the world's most caring and sensitive souls', and called her 'a true inspiration to us all' in a Facebook post.

'There is no way to justify this incident as Justine Ruszczyk was such a beautiful person,' he wrote.

'There will be a lot to answer for!'




Hundreds of people gathered outside the Damond residence in the hours after her death to hold a vigil for the woman (pictured)



Ms Damond's stepson shared images from the vigil, writing: 'people really showed love, thank you'

Women's March Minnesota demand justice for Justine Ruszczyk


Originally trained as a vet at the University of Sydney, she was 'supporting individuals and organizations to discover the power and potential within their own brains and hearts.'

Ms Damond regularly held sessions at the Lake Harriet Spritual Centre, with many of her talks recorded and uploaded to YouTube.

She grew up on Sydney's northern beaches, with her father John the owner of a Dymocks bookstore at Warringah Mall and a prominent member of the community.

Hundreds gathered outside the Damond home in the hours after her death to hold a vigil for the woman, with her neighbours remembering a 'beautiful light'.

'This woman was a beautiful light, she was a healer, she was loved, she should be alive - she should still be here,' one friend said.

Pictures showed a large group of people holding hands in a drive way, with colourful chalk drawings on the pavement - including a heart with 'Justine' written inside, and a red and a yellow rose laid on either side.

Her stepson Zach shared images from the event in his Instagram story, writing: 'people really showed love, thank you"


One image showed a sign which read: 'Why did you shoot and kill our neighbour and friend?'.

The placard was surrounded by flowers, candles and a letter.

Nearby, a tea towel with an image of Australia was hung on a brick wall.



One mourner drew a heart with 'Justine' written inside, and a red and a yellow rose was laid on either side


Hundreds of people attended the vigil outside Ms Damond's home on Sunday


Cont...

 

Cont....

In a statement, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said an investigation was in its early stages, but that police did not have their body cameras on during the incident.

Both officers involved in the shooting have been forced to take paid administrative leave, as is standard procedure following similar incidents.

Less than a week earlier it was revealed that officers across the city were using body cameras at what appeared to be a low amounts, despite their high-profile roll out.

Under Minneapolis Police Department policy, officers 'should manually activate their PVR (portable video recorder) to Record Mode when reasonably safe and practical' in situations including 'suspicious person stops' and 'crimes in progress'.




Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said she was disturbed by the shooting and called on BCA to release information about Ms Ruszczyk's death as quickly as possible.


Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges (pictured)

'As mayor of our city, a wife, and a grandmother, I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by what occurred last night,' Mayor Hodges said, the Star Tribune reports.

'There are still many questions about what took place, and while the investigation is still in its early stages, I am asking the BCA to release as much information, as quickly as they are able to.
'My thoughts are now with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the deceased woman and her family.'

---------------

WHY DID POLICE HAVE THEIR BODY CAMERAS TURNED OFF?

- The use of body cameras, or portable video recorders (PVR), was initiated in Minneapolis during 2016.

- Police introduced the technology in an effort to reduce complaints about the behaviour of officers and also to ensure vital video evidence was captured.

- In Minneapolis, where Ms Ruszczyk died, the cameras must be manually switched on by police. They are automatic in other parts of the US.

- According to Minneapolis government's policy, the body cameras must be turned on by when they anticipate they may be involved in a certain situation.

- Situations where they must be switched on include: Traffic stops, arrests, physical confrontations, crimes in progress and suspicious person stops.

- It was last week revealed that the usage of body cameras among officers in Minneapolis was low as 4% in some areas when responding to 911 calls.

-----
My opinion.....ANOTHER SKITTISH COP WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE A GUN! He probably would have killed his own partner given the chance! Unbelievable.

 

He's gonna get the book thrown at him, just like that black cop in Louisiana earlier this year.

 

That is correct. Everybody knows that a black dude isn't going to be acquitted for this ...

...On the other hand, since he's black, somali and named "mohammed", they might engineer an acquittal just to demonstrate that the system is "fair" in the wake of the Philando verdict. A high-profile, token "reverse" acquittal would serve the interests of the status quo -- kinda like the OJ verdict.

It's also worth noting that if the cop were white, he would stand a good chance of getting off in spite of the victim being white. ... and if the victim were black, the cop would stand a very good chance of getting off in spite of being black himself.

...But black cop/white victim? I predict a conviction in this case.

Here's the case of the cop in louisiana: http://nypost.com/2017/03/25/cop-convicted-of-manslaughter-in-shooting-of-6-year-old-autistic-boy/

 

No he's not. All scenarios point to a negligent accidental discharge. No way does a cop fire across the head of his partner multiple times on purpose. That 9mm went off because he was inept at gun control. (My opinion, of course)

 

I agree with you at the bolded.


I disagree on the racial aspect. This will have nothing to do with the race of the cop. This will be about gun-happy America, how tourists are not safe here, a crime against an innocent woman and trigger-happy cop killings. If he was White, the international outcry would be exactly the same.

 

Its been revealed that she was reporting a rape in the alley next to her home.
In the middle of a discussion with the cops..shot in the head.
I just pray she didn't suffer.

 

There is actually a book called 'Dial 911 and die'

.......just think about that.

 

He's going to jail. Non story

 

I haven't been paying attention to this story at all except what was discussed in this thread. I just refreshed my Twitter timeline & this what've noticed:

1. The Blue Lives Matter crowd is quiet

2. We immediately have all the personal info of this black muslim cop, when usually folks have to sue to get info when it's a white cop who shot a black man

3. The Minneapolis Star Tribune is trashing Officer Noor. But they were blatantly defending the cop who killed Philando Castille just last month. All of sudden the media wants cops punished, when usually they defend them.

4. I don't see the media going through the criminal history of this woman to justify her being killed like they ALWAYS do with black male victims.


@Bliss I think I'm gonna stick with my prediction. It's clear when white cops kill a BM the media puts the VICTIM on trial. But if a Black cops kills a white person the media attacks the cop.

 

Preach brother preach

WE KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS

 

Knocked clean out the park.

 

We also don't have the mayor coming out talking about how disturbed they are when it comes to us being killed.

 

I also wonder how much, or how little, effort it will take to get their hands on that video. In top of that, does anyone recall any women's groups saying anything about Sandra Bland?

 

You know what I also noticed?
1. The BLM crowd are quiet, too. Even on this forum. Not one ounce of sympathy. I knew it, though.

2. The reason we immediately have info on Officer Moore is because he was somewhat of a public celebrity cause, as the first Somali cop in heavily Muslim populated Minneapolis, and as publicly distinguished in a shout out by the Mayor.

3. Where the hell are you getting the Minneapolis Star Tribune was blatantely defending the cop who killed Philandro? Utter bullshit, Coli.

Verdict in police shooting of Philando Castile: The fear defense should have us all afraid
http://m.startribune.com/verdict-in...-defense-should-have-us-all-afraid/430003223/

On anniversary of Philando Castile's shooting, reflection and worry
http://m.startribune.com/one-year-a...herings-tributes/432680893/?interstitial=true

Impact of Yanez trial in Philando Castile's death will resonate far beyond officer's fate
http://m.startribune.com/impact-of-yanez-trial-will-resonate-far-beyond-officer-s-fate/424834383/

'The Star Tribune is widely perceived to show bias in favor of the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party. There are even some personal ties: The DFL Mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak, used to be a reporter for the Star Tribune; his sister-in-law may still work there. The father (Jim Klobuchar) of an incumbent Democratic (DFL) U.S. Senator, Amy Klobuchar, was a long-time Star Tribune columnist...'

'The Star Tribune is known for delivering timely political bombshells when conservative candidates are involved..'

Furthermore, Coli, reading any story from them you'd be hard-pressed to find op-ed's as they seem to deliver nothing but facts in their reporting style, which surprises the hell out of me. That's very rare.
Now kindly show me where they 'BLATANTLY DEFENDED THE COP WHO SHOT PHILADRO'? Provide the link so l can read it. Thank you.
- Also provide the link whete they are 'TRASHING OFFICER NOOR'. Thank you.


4. They absolutely went through her whole life history. We know EVERYTHING about her. Are you serious now?
I even read people claiming she must have been yelling at the cops.
And the fact that she was anti-gun keeps repeating on a loop!
Sorry, but and that her history brings up NO criminal activity but hey, they tried.

l agree with ypur prediction, however your sympathy for this cop because he's "black" sucks major balls. That's all you care about and have shown ZERO sympathy for the...white female shot dead by a cop.
Fuck it. That goes for your co-signers too.

 

You mean like how PRESIDENT OBAMA DID on Trayvon...going so far as to say if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon?
Or all the other times THE PRESIDENT spoke out on feeling disturbed?

You have a visiting Australian Citizen on a Fiancee Visa shot in the head in cold blood by police as she spoke to thrm after reporting a rape. She better be fucking disturbed by it.

 

Yes.
There was even a campaign called #SayHerName which highlighted the fact that Black women are routinely IGNORED when it comes to police brutality, as only Black men always get the attention.

 

Hopefully the cop walks. He was just trying to do his job. She should have just followed his commands and she might still be alive today. What does the toxicology report say? She was more than likely high off prescription pills. Where's her criminal report at? I'm sure she stole something when she was 11 years old which makes her dangerous threat to this cop who was just trying to make it home to his family.






























Sarcasm

And this is the only reason why you rushed to post this topic you racist asswipe of a clown. Gosh stop diluting my country with your fucking rubbish and go back where you came from.

 

I'm more focused on the cop because the woman is most likely going to get justice. The cop is likely going to get punished. I don't have sympathy for him, but I do have an idea how this case is gonna go. Media portrayal is a bitch when it comes to blacks so naturally, we're going be focused on our negative portrayal. They're gonna show a mugshot or a pic of the brother mugging the camera or on the block. When the Brock Turner shit first jumped off, it was all yearbook photos and cap and gowns and whatever. Eventually, they started showing his mugshot with his bugged out eyes. Of course, at that point, the point had already been made. That "weak" sentencing he got didn't help either as even the justice system let his past accomplishments negate the severity of his crime. We'll get labeled thugs and it's often a code word. Very rarely will people who aren't black be labeled thugs. People even came out calling Sandra Bland a thug, even a Texas Sheriff(I believe it was TX) made a video about BLM and assaulting BLM supporters when they came through their town and called Sandra Bland a thug. And that word goes a long way compared to calling someone a piece of shit or "this asshole". When blacks riot, we're thugs. When everyone else riots, like at UC Berkeley when Milo Y-whatever was scheduled to speak, they were "crybaby libtards" or something else that does associate them with crime or some less than honorable lifestyle.

When that white woman OD'd on coke at that party a while back, it was all "Doctor overdoses at high society apartment/cocaine apartment". The media went on and on about how she was a mother of three, graduated cum laude, a doctor, married to her husband who she met in college complete with a bunch of family photos. Typical "she was such a caring person" coverage. If it was some lower class blacks, it wouldn't even make the news and if it did, it would be a labeled a drug den or a crackhouse complete with a mugshot or a picture of them not smiling. Either way, if this was 1980s LA, the "cocaine apartment" wouldn't get a tank driven through their living room and get raided by SWAT like they were doing in the hood. Yes, the fact that an HBO producer was charged with her murder is a factor in media coverage but her image is still basically squeaky clean, even though she was partying with hard drugs.


I understand why you're upset at us not talking about the victim more, but from my point of view, her image will be fine and she will get justice, even though that doesn't bring her back to life. Bias in the justice system and media portrayal are huge factors in this.

Since the cop was black and the woman was white, of course there's gonna be discussion on how differently he may be treated through the whole process.

 

Ah ok. I'll look it up. I'm curious about the racial makeup of the supporters.