Junior cop who shot dead Aussie bride-to-be investigated over 'violent' arrest of woman
The police officer who shot dead an Australian woman, one month short of her dream wedding, was already under investigation, accused of “violently and forcibly” detaining another woman.
Officer Mohamed Noor shot and killed Justine Ruszczyk Damond after she called 911 to report what she believed to be a sexual assault near her Minneapolis home.
As her grieving partner, stepson and Sydney family search for answers, details of Noor’s chequered two-year police career has now come to light.
A complaint by a woman against the 31-year-old rookie policeman and another officer alleges he “violently and forcibly detained her and transported her against her will”.
Mohamed Noor joined the department in March 2015. Source: Facebook
Officer Mohamed Noor was allegedly sitting in the passenger seat of a police car when leaned over and shot across his partner. Source: Minneapolis Police Department
Still ongoing, the complaint accuses the junior officer of false imprisonment, battery, assault, negligence, and violating civil rights.
Noor has “two open complaints against him from 2017 and one from 2016" according to local media.
His career as a police officer started in 2015.
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Ms Ruszczyk Damond was in her pyjamas when she began speaking to Noor's partner, officer Matthew Harrity, but what came next will be the subject of major investigation.
Local media has reported Noor leaned over his partner and shot the bride-to-be through the driver's window about 11.30pm Saturday local time.
Justine Ruszczyk Damond was shot dead by police outside her Minneapolis home. Source: AAP
Audio captured by Minneapolis emergency dispatch now reveals just how quickly the he shooting happened.
Officers can be heard calling for back-up after the shooting takes place, however Ms Ruszczyk Damond can not be heard.
Officer Harrity was driving the car, however neither had their body cameras switched on when the shooting occurred.
Don Damond said he had been left in the dark as to why authorities shot and killed the woman he was supposed to marry. Source: Twitter
Noor issued a statement through attorney Tom Plunkett on Monday afternoon.
"Officer 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," the statement read.
"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."
Ms Ruszczyk Damond's grieving stepson left a powerful message for the man that killed his "best friend".
"Why did you do it?... you have no idea the impact she had on thousands of people," Zach said.
"I hope that he wakes up every single day and thinks about it and I hope that he dreams about how he can be a better person because that's what she did every single day.
"If you don't do that you're not even living either."
