SAD : Bride-to-be Shot Dead By Police After She Called 911 To Report Hearing Noise Outside Her House

A woman was shot dead by a US police officer after she called 911 to report hearing noise outside her house. 

Justine Damond, 40, an Australian woman due to get married next month, thought the noise might be a possible assault taking place outside her home, so she decided to get the police involved. When police arrived outside the home she shared with her fiance, Don Damond, at 5100 block of Washburn Avenue South, in Minneapolis' upscale Fulton neighbourhood, it was claimed that she went outside in her pyjamas and got shot through the door of a squad car by an officer seated inside the vehicle. She had been talking to an officer in the driver's seat of the police car when the officer in the passenger seat pulled out his gun and shot her through the driver's side door at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, sources said.

The officer's body camera was not turned on at the time and this has raised questions. The woman's family and Minneapolis' Mayor are demanding answers. 

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said: "I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by the fatal officer-involved shooting that happened last night. I know the neighborhood well. We have few facts at this point. I want to know more. I call on the BCA to share as much information with all of us as quickly as they can. I have questions about why the bodycams weren't on."

Justine Damond used her fiance's surname despite not yet being married. They were to have their wedding in August. He was away on a business trip when she was killed. She wrote in her online profile that she was working as a spiritual healer and meditation coach. She had studied and practised yoga and meditation for more than 17 years and was also a trained veterinarian.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), which is investigating the incident, said two officers responded to “a call of possible assault" when “at one point an officer fired their weapon, fatally striking a woman". The BCA added that the officers’ body cameras were not turned on at the time of the incident and that they are investigating.

Following the shooting, her 22-year-old stepson Zach, whose dad Don, 50, was due to marry Justine in August, released a video saying he wanted answers. 

Zach said: "Basically, my mom's dead because a police officer shot her for reasons I don't know. I demand answers. If anybody can help, just call police and demand answers. I'm so done with all this violence."

Hundreds of people gathered outside Justine's home on Sunday to mourn her. Neighbours described her as a kind and generous woman who helped people out when they were in need. They also said she and her fiance were so in love.

Watch the sad video shared by her stepson below.