'Condolences' from officer involved in shooting that killed Australian woman
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minneapolis Police officer who sources say shot and killed an Australian woman in south Minneapolis is extending his condolences to the family, according to a statement from the officer's lawyer.
On Saturday around 11:30 p.m., Mohamed Noor was one of two Minneapolis police officers who responded to a 911 call of a possible assault on the 5100 block of Washburn Avenue South. A Fox 9 source said once there, Officer Noor fired his weapon and killed 40-year-old Justine Damond.
Neither officer turned on their body cameras and the squad's dashboard video did not capture any footage of the incident, according to the BCA, with community members and activists, including Mayor Betsy Hodges, demanding to know why.
A 2016 City of Minneapolis newsletter said Noor joined the Minneapolis Police Department in March 2015 and became the Fifth Precinct's first Somali-American police officer.
Neighbors say he's always been a friendly face and a well-respected person in the Somali community, visiting his family often and interacting well with people in the neighborhood.
"Every time I see him I say, "Hey Batman" and he says, "Hey Robin" because I'm his side-kick," 13-year-old Terry Greer, who is friends with Noor's younger brother, said.
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Noor received a degree in economics and business administration from Augsburg College, working in property management in Minneapolis and St. Louis before becoming a police officer.
According to the City of Minneapolis, Noor had three citizen complaints filed against him in his time with the department. One case was closed without discipline, while two more cases remain open.
A civil complaint from May 25 alleges false imprisonment, assault and battery against Noor and two other officers after sending a woman they say was suffering a "mental health crisis" to a hospital for treatment. She claims the officers forced their way into her residence and grabbed her wrists and arms, exacerbating a previous shoulder injury.
The plaintiff is asking for $50,000 plus legal fees from the City of Minneapolis.
Officer Noor is being represented in the shooting proceedings by the Tom Plunkett Law Office.
Statement from Officer Noor's lawyer:
Officer Mohamed Noor extends his condolences to the family and anyone else who has been touched by this event. He takes their loss seriously and keeps them in his daily thoughts and prayers.
"He came to the United States at a young age and is thankful to have had so many opportunities. He takes these events very seriously because, for him, being a police officer is a calling. He joined the police force to serve the community and to protect the people he serves. Officer Noor is a caring person with a family he loves and he empathizes with the loss others are experiencing.
"The current environment for police is difficult, but Officer Noor accepts this as part of his calling. We would like to say more, and will in the future. At this time, however, there are several investigations ongoing and Officer Noor wants to respect the privacy to the family and asks the same in return during this difficult period.