The family of the US policeman Mohamed Noor, who shot Australian woman Justine Damond, have released a statement saying that they believed the shooting was a mistake.
The declaration came as a preliminary investigation by Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension revealed Officer Noor and his fellow officer had been startled by a loud noise in the seconds before Damond approached their car and was shot. Damond had called the police to her house earlier, as she had believed she heard a sexual assault being taken place.
Officer Matthew Harrity accompanied Officer Noor on that night, and later told police that a loud noise, which was possibly fireworks, came just as Damond walked to the squad car. Officer Noor then fired through the door of the car and killed Damond with a single shot.
Officer Noor’s family released a statement through a family member which said, “We feel so bad about this, we are traumatised ourselves. It’s so unfortunate,” a family member said. “If you wait for the investigation you’ll know it was an honest and sincere event that transpired. Until then we can’t really say anything.”
Officer Noor has so far refused to be formally interviewed. The investigation continues.
