Shooting of Sydney woman ruled a 'homicide' as chilling police audio surfaces
The death of a Sydney woman who was repeatedly shot after calling 911 in the US has been ruled a 'homicide,' as the chilling audio from the police officer's radio is revealed.
Justine Ruszczyk Damond, 40, was killed in Minneapolis in an alleyway about 11.30pm local time on Saturday after two officers responded to a report of a possible assault.
On Tuesday, a Minnesota county medical examiner's office ruled the fatal police shooting a homicide, saying she died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
In audio from the police radio, the officers can be heard speaking with their dispatcher, saying: “Shots fired ... we have one down.”
The audio starts with one of the officers saying there is a "female screaming behind the building" before they say they are performing CPR.
The police officer accused of shooting Ms Damond, Mohamed Noor, broke his silence on Tuesday, saying he "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," a statement from the law office read.
Pictured: Australian woman gunned down by US police 'for no reason'
Junior cop who shot dead Aussie bride-to-be investigated over 'violent' arrest of woman
"He takes these events very seriously because, for him, being a police officer is a calling. Officer Noor is a caring person with a family he loves and he empathizes with the loss others are experiencing.
"At this time, 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."
The 40-year-old died in her pyjamas on Saturday night after calling police to report screams of what she believed was a woman being sexually assaulted outside her home.
"Her family and I have been provided with almost no additional information from law enforcement regarding what happened after police arrived," her partner Don Damond told reporters.
"Piecing together Justine's last moments before the homicide would be a small comfort as we grieve this tragedy."
The couple were due to marry next month.
