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Australian bride-to-be shot dead by US police after 911 call | Australian bride-to-be shot dead by US police after 911 call |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An Australian woman has been killed by a US police officer responding to a 911 call in Minneapolis. | An Australian woman has been killed by a US police officer responding to a 911 call in Minneapolis. |
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said police responded to "a call of possible assault" when "at one point an officer fired their weapon, fatally striking a woman". | The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said police responded to "a call of possible assault" when "at one point an officer fired their weapon, fatally striking a woman". |
Officials said the officers' body cameras were not turned on at the time of the Saturday shooting. | Officials said the officers' body cameras were not turned on at the time of the Saturday shooting. |
The victim has been identified by Australian officials as Justine Damond. | The victim has been identified by Australian officials as Justine Damond. |
According to Australian media, the 40-year old woman was living in Minneapolis with her fiancé. The woman called 911 to report a noise near her home when the incident occurred, reports said. | According to Australian media, the 40-year old woman was living in Minneapolis with her fiancé. The woman called 911 to report a noise near her home when the incident occurred, reports said. |
Ms Damond, dressed in her pyjamas, reportedly approached the driver's side door and was talking to the officer at the wheel after the police arrived, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported, citing three sources with knowledge of the incident. | |
The officer in the passenger seat reportedly drew his gun and shot Ms Damond through the driver's window, the newspaper reported. | |
A man claiming to be Ms Damond's stepson also said in a Facebook video that she was the one who alerted authorities. | A man claiming to be Ms Damond's stepson also said in a Facebook video that she was the one who alerted authorities. |
"Basically, my mom's dead because a police officer shot her for reasons I don't know," said the man, named Zach. | "Basically, my mom's dead because a police officer shot her for reasons I don't know," said the man, named Zach. |
"I demand answers. If anybody can help, just call the police and demand answers. I'm so done with all this violence," he said. | "I demand answers. If anybody can help, just call the police and demand answers. I'm so done with all this violence," he said. |
"America sucks. These cops need to get trained differently. I need to move out of here." | "America sucks. These cops need to get trained differently. I need to move out of here." |
The Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said an investigation is under way and authorities are looking into whether there is any video of the incident. | The Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said an investigation is under way and authorities are looking into whether there is any video of the incident. |
Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges said in a statement she was "heartsick and deeply disturbed by what occurred last night". | Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges said in a statement she was "heartsick and deeply disturbed by what occurred last night". |
Over the past few years the US has seen a series of civilian killings at the hands of police that have caused widespread concern and criticism. | Over the past few years the US has seen a series of civilian killings at the hands of police that have caused widespread concern and criticism. |
Ms Damond, nee Justine Ruszczyk, taught meditation classes at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community. | Ms Damond, nee Justine Ruszczyk, taught meditation classes at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community. |
She used the surname of the man she was expected to marry in August, Don Damond, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. | |
Ms Damond studied to be a veterinarian before she relocated to the US, where she is believed to have been for at least the last three years. | Ms Damond studied to be a veterinarian before she relocated to the US, where she is believed to have been for at least the last three years. |
According to her website, she also practised yoga and meditation for more than 17 years and is a "qualified yoga instructor, a personal health and life coach and meditation teacher". | |
Alison Monaghan, a friend who trained Ms Damon in alternative therapies, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation she was "the most beautiful person" who moved to the US to "follow her heart" for a "new life". | Alison Monaghan, a friend who trained Ms Damon in alternative therapies, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation she was "the most beautiful person" who moved to the US to "follow her heart" for a "new life". |
About 200 neighbours, family members and residents shocked by the shooting gathered for a vigil on Sunday night where she died. | About 200 neighbours, family members and residents shocked by the shooting gathered for a vigil on Sunday night where she died. |
Her death made front-page news in her native Australia. | |
"I mean ask anybody here, they're shocked," said Ms Damond's student Corey Birkholz told CBS News. | "I mean ask anybody here, they're shocked," said Ms Damond's student Corey Birkholz told CBS News. |
He described Ms Damond as "a very conscious, loving person and you wouldn't associate that with a gunshot in an alley". | He described Ms Damond as "a very conscious, loving person and you wouldn't associate that with a gunshot in an alley". |
"I don't know anything about the law or police work to that extent but to me, it seems really stupid. You have a body camera, aren't you supposed to use them?" Mr Birkholz added. | "I don't know anything about the law or police work to that extent but to me, it seems really stupid. You have a body camera, aren't you supposed to use them?" Mr Birkholz added. |
Mrs Hodges echoed his sentiments, saying at a news conference: "I share the same questions other people have about why we don't have body camera footage of it, and I hope to get answers to that in the days coming." | Mrs Hodges echoed his sentiments, saying at a news conference: "I share the same questions other people have about why we don't have body camera footage of it, and I hope to get answers to that in the days coming." |
The two officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave. | The two officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave. |
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Monday on behalf of Ms Damond's family. | The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Monday on behalf of Ms Damond's family. |
"This is a very difficult time for our family," the statement said. "We are trying to come to terms with this tragedy and to understand why this has happened." | "This is a very difficult time for our family," the statement said. "We are trying to come to terms with this tragedy and to understand why this has happened." |