Why were police body cams switched off during fatal shooting of Australian woman?
Family and local activists are demanding answers over the shooting death of a Sydney woman by US police, after it was revealed the officers didn't have their body cameras turned on at the time of the incident.
Justine Damond, believed to be aged in her 40s, was killed in Minneapolis about 11.30pm local time on Saturday after two officers responded to a report of a possible assault.
The Minneapolis Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), which is now investigating the incident, confirmed the officers involved had body cameras on at the time of the shooting.
But they were not switched on, and there was no squad car surveillance, according to BCA. Investigators are attempting to determine whether any video of the incident exists.
Ms Damond, originally from Sydney and also known as Justine Ruszczyk, was a trained veterinarian who worked as a spiritual healer and meditation teacher.
Her stepson Zach Damond, 22, said she called police after hearing a noise near their house in the suburb of Fulton.
"My mum was shot for reasons I don't know," Mr Damond said in a video posted on Facebook.
"I demand answers... I'm so done with all this violence.
"I just know she heard a sound in the alley so then she called the police and the cops showed up.
"She was a very passionate woman, she probably thought something bad was happening and then next thing I know they take my best friend's life."
Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges said she had too many questions about the incident and wants answers to why the officers' body cameras weren't turned on.
"I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by what happened," she posted on Facebook.
"I have been working on behalf of all of you all night and all day and I will continue to do so.
"I share your questions and concerns and continue to seek answers."
A local activist has written an open letter on Facebook to the mayor and police chief Janee Harteau, demanding "truth and transparency”.
"We the people, have a right to know what happened and why.
"An interview with her son indicates that she might have been the one who called the police based upon a disturbance in the alley,” Mr Nekima Levy-Pounds wrote.
"How did she wind up dead? Why didn't officers have body cameras turned on? Why is there no dash cam footage?
"We have a right to know the truth,” he added.
Ms Damond ran her meditation workshops at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community, which paid tribute in a Facebook post.
"We are so sad to report the tragic shooting of Justine Damond," the community's post said.
"Justine was one of the most loving people you would ever meet. We can't even imagine LHSC without her."
Ms Damond, whose partner is Don Damond, 50, is believed to have been living in the US for at least the past three years.
The Minnesota BCA said two Minneapolis police officers responded to a 911 call of a possible assault just north of the 5100 block of Washburn Avenue South.
"At one point an officer fired their weapon, fatally striking a woman," it said in a statement.
"The officers' body cameras were not turned on at the time and the squad camera did not capture the incident.
"Investigators are attempting to determine whether any video of the incident exists."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it's providing consular support to the family of an Australian woman killed in the US.
A vigil for Ms Damond is planned for 6pm Sunday in Fulton, near the scene of the shooting.
