New details are surfacing regarding the death of Australian bride-to-be Justine Damond, who was shot by a police officer outside her Minneapolis home.
The investigators on the case have learned that the fatal shooting could possibly be explained by the explosions of fireworks in the neighborhood, according to Daily Mail.
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“It would be good common sense to investigate” the fireworks lead, an unnamed source with knowledge of Minneapolis law enforcement said to the Associated Press on Tuesday.
Damond, who was also known as Justine Ruszczyk, was shot by Officer Mohamed Noor. He fired a bullet through the patrol car’s driver-side door into the 40-year-old yoga therapist’s abdomen.
Noor’s partner, Matthew Harrity, was “stunned” when the rookie cop opened fire through the squad car.
Damond, who approached the police in pajamas, had called 911 earlier in the evening to report a sexual assault happening near her home.
Around the time of the shooting, police radio conversations between Noor and Harrity reference fireworks.
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The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, an independent organization separate from the Minneapolis Police Department, is also running an investigation. On Wednesday, the company revealed that Noor has refused to be interviewed.
“Officer Noor has declined to be interviewed by BCA agents at this time. Officer Noor’s attorney did not provide clarification on when, if ever, an interview would be possible,” the BCA said in a press release.
While there are a number of remaining questions regarding the case, the BCA has provided a rough outline of the incident.
Officer Harrity told authorities he heard a “loud sound” near the squad car while approaching the scene. The car rolled up without the emergency lights turned on.
Ms. Damond then approached the driver’s side window of the vehicle.
“Harrity indicated that Officer Noor discharged his weapon, striking Ruszczyk through the open driver’s side window,” the BCA said.
Both police officers had their body cameras switched off at the time of the incident.
Noor and Harrity have both been placed on administrative leave.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said that she wished Noor would consent to do an interview.
“We can’t compel him by law, but I wish that he would make that statement. There are big questions left that we still have and that we hope to have answered soon,” she said. “Why did Officer Noor draw and fire his gun? What happened from the time the officers arrived on the scene to when she was pronounced dead? Why don’t we have footage from body cameras? Why were they not activated? We all want answers to those questions.”
