Community demands charges against officer Noor after Justine Damond shooting
Justine Damond. Photo credit: Steven Govel Photography
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Family and friends of Justine Damond, who was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer this past summer, are still waiting to learn if that officer will be charged.
On Tuesday, some local groups talked about their plans to seek justice for Damond.
“We know nothing more about the circumstances of Justine’s death than we did on the night she was killed,” one activist said.
It’s been nearly five months since Damond was shot and killed. Now, surrounded by a coalition of supporters, organizers for Justice for Justine are pushing Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to file criminal charges against officer Mohamed Noor.
“The entire world is watching, and no one understands why it is taking so long,” Katherine Hamberg said.
Their message is coming three months after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension completed and turned in its investigative report to Freeman.
Freeman has only said that a decision could come by the end of the year.
Michelle Gross, who is President of Communities United Against Police Brutality says that’s not soon enough.
“It is outrageous that five months after Justine was killed by officer Noor, her friends and family continue to mourn her loss and continue to wonder if they will ever see justice, but her known killer remains free to enjoy himself and his family,” Gross said.
On July 15, Damond was shot in the stomach by Noor in the alley behind her home after she called 911 to report a possible assault.
Her death sparked outrage and a change of leadership within the Minneapolis Police Department.
Noor and his partner were in the car when the shooting occurred. Despite repeated requests, he refuses to speak to investigators.
“Our community stands with Justine; we want Justice for Justine,” said Jaylani Hussein with CAIR-Minnesota.
As a community waits on a decision, organizers are preparing to take to the streets no matter the outcome.
“A conviction is only the beginning of the process of justice for Justine. True and lasting justice will only come when there is justice for all victims of police violence, and we will not be satisfied with a token conviction of officer Noor,” Gross said.