US braces for backlash: Justine Damond’s shooter in court

Heartbroken family, friends and supporters of Australian life coach Justine Damond are bracing for the announcement of whether the US police officer who shot her dead in an alley will be charged.

The Minneapolis prosecutor who will make the decision, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, has said he would make a decision before the end of the year.

Minneapolis and its sister city St Paul have been rocked by violent protests in the aftermath of a spate of recent police shootings and authorities are preparing for a backlash whether Officer Mohamed Noor is charged or not for the July 15 fatal shooting of Ms Damond.

Defenseless and wearing her pyjamas, Australian Justine Damond (pictured) was fatally shot

Justine  was shot dead by junior officer Mohamed Noor (pictured) on July 15 after calling 911

Justine was shot dead by junior officer Mohamed Noor (pictured) on July 15 after calling 911

Justine was engaged to be married in August to her American fiance Donald Damond (left)

‘There’s going to be a reaction from certain segments in the community regardless of what decision is made,’ Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune newspaper.

Ms Damond’s family and supporters have raised concerns about how long the investigation has taken.

‘Our group believes justice delayed is justice denied,’ said Todd Schuman, a member of Justice for Justine.

‘We’re absolutely outraged that it’s taken so long.’

A police union boss has spoken out in defence of the officer who killed the Australian woman

The Somali-born Officer Mohamed Noor (left) has declined to be interviewed by investigators  

Justine's fiance Don fought back tears as he said  the cops have failed to provide an explanation

Justine’s fiance Don fought back tears as he said the cops have failed to provide an explanation

Aftermath: Cops closed down the area around the shooting but lack crucial bodycam evidence

Aftermath: Cops closed down the area around the shooting but lack crucial bodycam evidence

Ms Damond, dressed in her pyjamas, was shot by Officer Noor after she called 911 just before midnight on July 15 to report a woman screaming in her affluent Minneapolis neighbourhood. 

Officer Noor was sitting in the front passenger seat of his police vehicle in the alley and when Ms Damond approached in the darkness, he shot across his partner in the driver’s seat, Officer Matthew Harrity, and out the car’s window, striking the Australian in the stomach.

Somali-born Officer Noor has declined to be interviewed by investigators.

 Vigils have been held for Australian woman Justine Damond after she was shot by an officer

 Vigils have been held for Australian woman Justine Damond after she was shot by an officer

He speaks: Mohamed Noor has told friends - but not state investigators - what happened in the alleyway on Saturday night which ended in the death of Justine Damond

He speaks: Mohamed Noor has told friends - but not state investigators - what happened in the alleyway on Saturday night which ended in the death of Justine Damond

Officer Noor (left) had not activated his body camera before the shooting of Ms Damond (right)

The large Somali community in Minneapolis is also bracing for a decision.

In September, the Minneapolis police union, after months of silence, stepped in after Mr Freeman told a town hall meeting the shooting did not have to happen.

‘We want an assurance that Noor will not be charged simply on the basis of Damond’s status as a fine young woman in a nice neighbourhood,’ police union boss Lieutenant Bob Kroll wrote in a letter published in the Star-Tribune.

Ms Damond, 40, originally from Sydney’s northern beaches, and her American fiance, Don Damond, had planned to marry in Hawaii in August. 

Ms Damond’s father John Ruszcyk (left) believed she may have walked up to the police car at about 11.30pm that night for help, when she was instead tragically, fatally shot by Officer Noor

Also seeking answers: John Ruszczyk, the heartbroken father of Justine Damond, spoke in Sydney, Australia, to ask for the 'light of justice to shine down' on his daughter's tragic death

Also seeking answers: John Ruszczyk, the heartbroken father of Justine Damond, spoke in Sydney, Australia, to ask for the ‘light of justice to shine down’ on his daughter’s tragic death



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