(Note from Erin: I was so heartbroken when I had to add Dr. Justine Damond to our unintended list of dead doctors but today, we have the beginnings of justice. Dr. Damond and I had many friends in common and we were devastated to loose such a sweet soul. RIP Justine.)
Today, the officer who shot and killed Dr. Justine Damond, Officer Mohamed Noor, was charged with third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter, in connection with her death. Damond was a beloved holistic healer/doctor in our community and her loss was deeply felt.
Noor, who has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting, is now behind bars.
Her family and the holistic community have been waiting for months for Noor to be charged but according to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, there wasn’t probable cause:
“I have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the moment he shot the gun he feared for his life, and he used force because he thought he was gonna be killed. But he won’t answer my questions, because he doesn’t have to, OK? We all have Fifth Amendment rights, and I respect that.”1
He went on to say,
“And let me just say, it’s not my fault. If it isn’t my fault, who didn’t do their jobs? … Investigators — and they don’t work for me. And they haven’t done their job.”2
(He later apologized for his comments about investigators.)
But again, today, we have justice. We still aren’t sure if Noor turned himself in but will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
“Dr. Justine Damond, 40, a well known Australian holistic healer, cancer researcher, and trained veterinarian surgeon from Sydney, was shot dead in the abdomen by a police officer outside the home she shared with her fiancé in one of the safest neighborhoods of Minneapolis. Justine had called 911 to report what sounded like a woman being sexually assaulted in the alley. Her fiancé was out of town on business. She called the first time to report, and then a second time 8 minutes later, to make sure they had the right address. She was assured they were on the way.”3
Officers Noor and Harrity were the responding officers. Harrity says he heard a loud noise that startled him. Evidently, Noor did as well because moments later, Dr. Damond was shot and killed.
You’ll also recall that neither Noor nor Harrity had their body cameras on, which has made figuring out exactly what happened that night, even more difficult.
Her fiancee, Don Damond has reportedly said he hopes Freeman will “act swiftly to review the findings and determine the charges.”4
We agree. We hope her family and friends can soon have peace.
