The United States (US) city of Minneapolis has agreed to pay the family of an Australian woman killed by a police officer a record $20 million in compensation.
Justine Damond was shot dead by former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor on July 15, 2017 as she approached his patrol car to report a possible rape behind the home she shared with her American boyfriend Don Damond.
The 40-year-old Yoga instructor with dual American and Australian citizenship was unarmed.
Noor was found guilty of her murder on Tuesday.
Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, in confirming the offer, said “unprecedented circumstances” played a role in the settlement.
It’s the highest amount ever paid out by the city, located in the state of Minnesota.
“There was not a clear threat before the use of force was made,” Frey said.
“This is not a victory for anyone, but rather a way for our city to move forward,” he added.
Justine Damond’s family says they will donate $2 million to fighting gun violence.
She and Don were set to wed a month after the shooting.
In court, Noor said he recalled seeing a blonde female in a pink T-shirt approach his squad car on the night of the shooting.
He said he opened fire because he believed there was an imminent threat after he heard a loud bang and saw Justine with her right arm raised.
Noor said his partner, Officer Matthew Harrity, shouted “Oh Jesus!” and fumbled with his gun in its holster before “he turned to me with fear in his eyes”.
The defendant said he “had to make a split-second decision” and shot Justine across his partner through the car window.
Exactly, and did you notice the cop black and is Muslim?
Black ppl always act like US constitution was written with them in mind. Is like dem figet seh when di ppl dem drew up dem constitution they drew it up for themselves(whites only). Why dem acting all brand new is beyond me.