Killing of Justine Damond explained

Killing of Justine Damond
Partof:police brutality in the United States
Date:July 15, 2017
11:41 p.m. CDT (UTC–5)[1]
Location:West 51st Street alley between Washburn and Xerxes avenues, Fulton, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Coordinates:44.9107°N -93.3182°W
Type:Homicide by firearm, manslaughter, police brutality
Victim:Justine Maia Damond, aged 40
Perp:Mohamed Mohamed Noor
Verdict:
Convictions:Second-degree manslaughter
Charges:

Child:yes
Sentence: years in prison[2] (paroled after years; originally years in prison)
Litigation:Wrongful death lawsuit settled for $20 million

On July 15, 2017, Justine Damond (née Ruszczyk),[3] a 40-year-old Australian-American woman,[4] was fatally shot by 31-year-old Somali-American Minneapolis Police Department officer Mohamed Noor after she had called 9-1-1 to report the possible assault of a woman in an alley behind her house. Occurring weeks after a high-profile manslaughter trial acquittal in the 2016 police killing of Philando Castile, also in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, the shooting exacerbated existing tensions and attracted national and international press.[5]

In April 2019, Noor was tried before a jury on charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Noor claimed self defense. The jury convicted Noor of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, but he was acquitted on the charge of intentional second degree murder.[6] In June 2019, Noor was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison.[7] Noor's conviction on third-degree murder was overturned by the Minnesota Supreme Court on September 15, 2021. In October 2021, his sentence was revised to 4.75 years in prison, with credit for time served. Noor was released from custody on June 27, 2022, and was ordered to remain on supervised release until January 24, 2024.[8]

Damond's family brought a civil lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis alleging violation of Damond's civil rights, which the city settled for US$20 million in 2019.[9]

People involved

Justine Damond

Justine Maia Damond (April 4, 1977 – July 15, 2017) grew up in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, New South Wales, and attended Manly High School. She graduated in 2002 from the University of Sydney as a veterinarian, then worked as a spiritual healer and meditation coach. She met Don Damond, a U.S. citizen, while attending a neuroscience workshop.[10] The couple became engaged on December 29, 2014,[11] and planned to marry in August 2017. Damond stopped using her surname Ruszczyk and took the Damond family name ahead of their marriage.[12] Damond held dual Australian and United States citizenship, as her father, John Ruszczyk, holds US citizenship.[13]

Mohamed Noor

Mohamed Mohamed Noor[14] (born October 20, 1985, in Qoryoley, Somalia)[15] was the officer who shot Damond. Noor's partner, Matthew Harrity (then 25 years old), was the driver of their squad car.[16] Noor had been lauded in the past by Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges and the local Somali community as one of the first Somali-American police officers in the area.[17] At the time of the shooting, Noor had been with the Minneapolis Police Department for 21 months; Harrity had been on the force for one year.

In two years as a police officer, Noor had three formal complaints against him, two of which, in September 2017, were pending resolution. In a separate case from May 2017, he was being sued for allegedly assaulting a woman while on duty.[18] In September 2018, it was reported that in 2015, two psychiatrists and other training officers had raised concerns about Noor's fitness for police duty. Two months before the shooting, Noor allegedly pointed a gun at the head of a driver he had pulled over for a minor traffic violation.[19]

Incident

On the night of the shooting, Damond called 9-1-1 at 11:27p.m. and again at 11:35p.m.[20] She reported that she thought she heard a woman either having sex or being raped.[21] Dispatchers categorized the call as "unknown trouble: female screaming" - a relatively low priority. Officers Noor and Harrity responded to the low-crime neighborhood of Fulton, in southwestern Minneapolis, drove their police Ford Explorer with lights off through the alley[22] and found no suspects or signs of the suspected rape that had prompted Damond's calls.[23]

As the officers prepared to leave, Noor "entered 'Code Four' into the cruiser's computer, meaning the scene was safe". Harrity would later indicate "that he was startled by a loud sound near the squad" and, just then, Damond approached the police car's driver-side window.[24] Harrity drew his weapon, but pointed it downward and did not fire.[25] Noor, however, fired once through the open window, fatally striking an unarmed and barefoot Damond in the abdomen. The officers attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation to no avail; Damond died 20 minutes later.[26] Harrity later told a supervisor "We both got spooked."

At Noor's trial, Harrity testified of hearing "something hit the car and I also hear some sort of murmur" and that he feared an "ambush" but deemed it "premature" to use deadly force. Noor testified that he did not see Damond's hand or any object in it, but nonetheless believed that his partner "feared for his life" and "there was a threat".[27] The prosecutors presented evidence that Damond's fingerprints were not on the police car, suggesting she had never made contact with it, and called two expert witnesses on police use of force, who testified that Noor's decision to shoot was unreasonable.[28]

Both officers had their body cameras switched off.[29] Minneapolis introduced police body cameras in 2016, but their activation was not mandatory in all situations.[30] No audio or video recordings captured the killing, although a 16-year-old bicyclist took cell-phone video of the scene after the shooting.[31]

Reactions

In the United States

The day after the killing, a vigil in Damond's memory was held at the site of her death in the alleyway entrance located on the north side of West 51st Street between Xerxes Avenue South and Washburn Avenue South in Minneapolis.[32] Several days after the killing, hundreds marched to Beard's Plaisance Park in Minneapolis, in memory of Damond.[33] A memorial service for Damond was held on 11 August 2017, on the shore of Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. The service was at the bandshell and there was a silent walk around the lake afterwards. It was attended by Damond's family and fiancé, and about 1,000 mourners.[34]

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement calling the non-use of body cameras "unacceptable". The Minneapolis Police Conduct Oversight Commission concurred with the ACLU opinion that "body cameras should be on at all times."[35]

Former U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann from Minnesota alleged in a speech on July 19, 2017, that Noor was an "affirmative-action hire". Speaking to World Net Daily, Bachmann said, "Noor comes from the mandated cover-up women culture. That's why I'm wondering if they'll ask whether his cultural views led him to shoot her. That's something, if true, I can't imagine the progressives would allow to get out."[36]

In Australia

Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister of Australia, said that the Australian government wanted answers:[37]

Damond's family and friends held a sunrise vigil for her at Freshwater Beach on July 19, 2017.[38] A further sunrise vigil was conducted at the same beach on July 15, 2018.[39]

Attorney statements

Harrity's attorney Fred Bruno told the Star Tribune that "it's certainly reasonable" to assume any officer would be concerned about an ambush. He referred to the recent death of a New York City officer killed in her squad car.[40] Damond's family retained attorney Robert Bennett, the same lawyer who represented the family of Philando Castile. In a televised interview, he dismissed the claims of Harrity's attorney (that it was reasonable for the officers to fear ambush) as "disinformation".[41]

Criminal case

Investigation

An application for a search warrant to search the alley where the shooting occurred, referring to the shooting incident, stated "Upon police arrival, a female 'slaps' the back of the patrol squad. After that, it is unknown to BCA agents what exactly happened, but the female became deceased in the alley."[42] Among items collected were fingerprints from the rear cargo door window of the squad car.[43]

Hours after the shooting, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators controversially obtained a second search warrant and carried out a search of Damond's home for evidence, including "'bodily fluids, controlled substances, and writings". They did not take anything from the property.[44] Noor refused to speak with investigators, invoking his right against self-incrimination.[45] Noor and Harrity were then on paid administrative leave.[46]

Minneapolis Chief of Police Janeé Harteau was on vacation leave at the time of Damond's killing and returned to Minneapolis four days later.[47] At a press conference after her return, Harteau said, "Justine didn't have to die...The death of Justine should not have happened." Regarding Noor's refusal to speak to investigators, Harteau said, "I would prefer Officer Noor would speak."[48]

In February 2018, a grand jury was convened to investigate Damond's death.[49] On February 15, 2018, Harrity appeared before the grand jury.[50]

Trial

On March 20, 2018, a warrant was issued for third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges, and Noor turned himself in to police. He also resigned from the Minneapolis Police Department. [51] Bail was set at $400,000, and Noor was released from jail on March 22.[52] With the approval of the court, prosecutors later upgraded the charges against Noor to second-degree intentional murder.[53]

On April 30, 2019, following a jury trial, Noor was convicted of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.[54] [55] Under Minnesota law, third-degree murder is defined as "a person causing the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and without regard for human life, but without intent to cause the death of any person"; second-degree manslaughter is defined as "whoever by culpable negligence, whereby he creates an unreasonable risk and consciously takes the chance of causing death or great bodily harm to another person, causes the death of another is guilty of manslaughter in the second degree".[56] After the verdict, his bail was revoked and he was taken to jail to await sentencing.

The Somali-American Police Association issued a statement after the verdict claiming that racial bias contributed to Noor's conviction.[57]

On June 7, 2019, Noor was sentenced to 12½ years in prison. He was initially incarcerated at Oak Park Heights prison, but was transferred out of state to North Dakota State Penitentiary in Bismarck in July 2019 for his safety.[58]

Appeal

On February 1, 2021, the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed Noor's conviction of third-degree murder.[59] Noor then appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court,[60] arguing that the facts did not support a conviction on that charge. On September 15, 2021, the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed Noor's third-degree murder conviction on the basis that the state failed to prove that he committed murder with a "depraved mind" which is a "generalized indifference to human life" as required for the offense of third-degree murder. As the conduct in this case did not meet that standard, the Supreme Court directed the trial court to vacate the conviction of third-degree murder and sentence Noor for the lesser offense of second-degree manslaughter.[61]

Sentence

On remand following the successful appeal, the trial court during an October 2021 proceeding resentenced Noor to 57 months in prison, the maximum presumptive sentence under Minnesota's sentencing guidelines. Noor was released from the North Dakota State Penitentiary on June 27, 2022, after serving two-thirds of the sentence incarcerated, with the remaining 19 months of his sentence to be served on supervised release.[62] Noor's release was not an unusual move in Minnesota, where most defendants are moved to supervised release after serving two-thirds of their sentence incarcerated. Damond's family expressed disappointment in the length of Noor's incarceration calling it "trivial" and "disrespectful" to community expectations about improvements to police behavior and culture.

Civil case

Damond's family brought a civil lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis alleging violation of Damond's civil rights, which the city settled in May 2019 for US$20 million,[63] one of the largest-ever settlements in a suit involving a police killing.[7] At the time, the amount of Damond's settlement was the largest in Minneapolis history, and held this record until it was surpassed by the March 2021 settlement of $27 million which the city approved for the family of George Floyd.[64] [65]

Impact on policing in Minneapolis

"Fast tracked" training criticism

Following the deadly shooting of Damond, the Star Tribune reported Noor's police training had been "fast tracked", making reference to the seven-month immersive training program for cadets; some suburban police departments see the cadet programs as a way to quickly diversify their police forces.[66] Noor's police training had been part of the cadet program for the Minneapolis Police Department, an accelerated seven-month program aimed at candidates who already have a college degree and wish to enter law enforcement. Former police chief Janeé Harteau stood by Noor's training:

We have a very robust training and hiring process ... This officer completed that training very well, just like every officer. He was very suited to be on the street ... I believe the actions in question go against who we are as a department, how we train, and the expectations we are as a department. These were the actions of one individual.[67]

On July 23, 2017, the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis City Council Member Elizabeth Glidden denied news reports of there being a "fast-track" seven-month police training program.[68]

Changes in leadership and policies

Less than a week after Damond's killing, Police Chief Janeé Harteau was ousted, after Mayor Betsy Hodges said that she and the city had lost confidence in Harteau's ability to lead.[69] The police shootings were a contributing factor in Hodges losing her bid for re-election in 2017.[70]

Following the shooting, Minneapolis acting police chief Medaria Arradondo announced in July 2017 that police officers would be required to turn on body-worn cameras during all calls and traffic stops.[71] Bob Kroll, the president of the Minneapolis police officers' union, objected to having cameras recording while officers are on the way to a call, saying that officers' discussion of tactics "while responding to a call should not be publicly disseminated".[72]

Comparison to other events

George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, was compared to the killing of Damond and the successful criminal case against Noor. Some felt that the local judicial system was inconsistent and that it did not hold white police officers who killed black men accountable for their actions.[73] [74]

In June 2020, reflecting on the murder of Floyd and the killing of his daughter, John Ruszczyk said:[75]

In popular culture

"Without Rhyme or Reason", a documentary on the life and death of Damond, was shown on Australian Story in November 2017.[76]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Damond timeline highlights two mystery minutes after police arrived. July 20, 2017. ABC News. July 20, 2017.
  2. Collin, Jon and Matt Sepic, "Ex-cop Noor set for June release after resentence in Ruszczyk killing", Minnesota Public Radio News, October 21, 2021
  3. Web site: Ellis . Euan McKirdy,Ralph . 2017-07-18 . Woman killed by Minneapolis police a month before wedding . 2024-07-20 . CNN . en.
  4. News: Eligon . John . 2019-05-03 . A Black Officer, a White Woman, a Rare Murder Conviction. Is It 'Hypocrisy,' or Justice? . July 9, 2020 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
    - Web site: Jackson . Joey . May 3, 2019 . Mohamed Noor's sentence raises uncomfortable questions about race . 2020-07-09 . CNN.
  5. News: Oliver. Laughland. Minneapolis officer who shot Justine Damond offers condolences. The Guardian. July 18, 2017. July 18, 2017.
    - News: Justine Damond fatally shot through door of Minneapolis police car, sources say. BBC News. July 18, 2017. July 18, 2017.
    - News: Peter. Mitchell. Police officer who shot Justine Damond had less than two years' experience. The Sydney Morning Herald. July 18, 2017. July 18, 2017.
  6. News: Smith . Mitch . 2019-04-30 . Minneapolis Police Officer Convicted of Murder in Shooting of Australian Woman . 2024-07-20 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  7. Web site: Matt Furber and Mitch Smith . June 7, 2019 . Somali-American Police Officer Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Death of Minneapolis Woman . New York Times.
  8. Web site: Former Minneapolis Police officer Mohamed Noor released from custody after over 3 years behind bars . 2022-08-15 . CNN . June 27, 2022 . en.
  9. Web site: Forliti. Amy. May 4, 2019. 'Not a victory to anyone': Damond's family awarded $US20 million. The Sydney Morning Herald. May 4, 2019.
  10. Web site: 'She was just infectious': friends mourn Sydney woman killed in US police shooting. Ava. Benny-Morrison. Rachel. Browne. July 17, 2017. July 19, 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  11. Web site: Security Check Required. Facebook. July 19, 2017.
  12. News: Australian Justine Damond shot dead by US police in Minneapolis. Australian Associated. Press. Jared. Goyette. July 16, 2017. July 19, 2017. The Guardian.
  13. Web site: Woman killed by Minneapolis police a month before wedding. CNN. July 18, 2017. July 23, 2017.
  14. Web site: Minneapolis police officer charged with murder, manslaughter in Justine Damond case. Chavry. S M. Gottfried. Mara. Twin Cities Pioneer Press. March 20, 2018.
  15. News: Mohamed Noor's story began in Somalia, an ocean away. Star Tribune. April 30, 2019. Libor Jany. July 15, 2020.
    - "State of Minnesota vs, Mohamed Mohamed Noor", State of Minnesota County of Hennepin, March 20, 2018
  16. Web site: Minneapolis woman killed by police: What we know and don't know. Madison. Park. Emanuella. Grinberg. Holly. Yan. July 16, 2017. CNN. July 19, 2017.
  17. News: Somali immigrant cop Mohamed Noor, who shot Justine Damond, was 'highly celebrated' by Minneapolis mayor in 2015. July 18, 2017. Fox News. September 5, 2017.
  18. Web site: Officials: Australian woman shot after cops heard loud sound. https://web.archive.org/web/20170718075608/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/questions-remain-surrounding-fatal-minnesota-police-shooting-48694394. dead. July 18, 2017. ABC News. July 20, 2017.
  19. News: Jany . Libor . 2018-09-06 . Filing: Mohamed Noor raised red flags among psychiatrists, training officers . . 2018-09-09 . Noor was flagged by two psychiatrists during the pre-hiring evaluation in early 2015 after he exhibited an inability to handle the stress of regular police work and unwillingness to deal with people, according to the records..
  20. Web site: Ruszczyk's 911 call audio: Deep breath, worried voice . May 23, 2019. MPR News. Laura Yuen. May 23, 2019.
  21. Web site: Helsel. Phil. Australian shot dead by Minneapolis officer called 911 twice. NBC News. July 20, 2017 . July 20, 2017.
  22. Web site: A 911 Call, an Unarmed Woman and a Single Shot: The Mystery of a Police Shooting. New York Times. April 13, 2019.
  23. Web site: The 911 call to report suspected rape that led to police shooting innocent woman minutes later. July 20, 2017. The Independent. August 4, 2017.
  24. News: Officer Heard Loud Noise Before Partner Shot Minneapolis Woman, Officials Say. Bosman. Julie. July 18, 2017. The New York Times. July 25, 2017. 0362-4331.
  25. News: Partner of Mohamed Noor: Feared ambush before Justine Damond shot. Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Amy Forliti. April 18, 2019.
  26. Web site: Witness in Justine Damond shooting comes forward, source says part of encounter was filmed. July 23, 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. July 23, 2017.
  27. News: A Former Minnesota Cop Dramatically Testified About The Moment He Shot And Killed An Unarmed Australian Woman. Tasneem Nashrulla. BuzzFeed News. April 29, 2019.
  28. News: Noor trial: Closing arguments done, case goes to jury. MPR News. Riham Feshir, Jon Collins & Brandt Williams. April 29, 2019.
  29. Web site: Australian Woman Shot Dead by Minneapolis Police Officer After Calling 911 Herself. NBC News. Saphora Smith. July 17, 2017. July 15, 2020.
  30. Web site: Good Question: What Are The Policies On Body Cameras In Minneapolis?. Heather. Brown. WCCO-TV. July 17, 2017. July 19, 2017.
  31. News: Noor trial: Bicyclist's testimony heavy on drama, light on facts. Jon Collins and Riham Feshir. MPR News. April 17, 2019. July 15, 2020.
  32. Web site: Australian woman shot, killed by Minneapolis police. Corey. Birkholz. September 4, 2017. Fox 9 News. September 4, 2017.
  33. Web site: Hundreds march from the site of Justine Damond's shooting to Beard's Plaisance Park during a march in honor of Damond Thursday, July 20, 2017, in Minneapolis. Damond, of Australia, was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer on Saturday, Jul. ABC News. July 22, 2017.
  34. Web site: Sage, smoke, and questions: Justine Damond remembered at moving memorial. Paul. McGeough. August 12, 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald.
    - Web site: Official Page with Program Schedule for the Minneapolis Memorial of Justine Damond. Corey. Birkholz. September 4, 2017. Lake Harriet Spiritual Community. September 4, 2017. September 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170903210008/http://www.lakeharrietspiritualcommunity.org/remembering-justine-damond.html. dead.
  35. News: Kyle. Fahrmann. ACLU calls lack of body camera use in shooting "unacceptable". KMSP-TV (FOX9). July 18, 2017. July 20, 2017.
  36. News: "The Most Innocent Victim". Leon Neyfakh. Slate. July 24, 2017. July 15, 2020.
  37. Web site: Fireworks may have startled Justine Damond's killer, US police officer Mohamed Noor. Rachel. Browne. July 18, 2017. July 19, 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  38. Web site: Hundreds flock to Sydney's Freshwater Beach for vigil for Australian Justine Damond. Ava. Benny-Morrison. July 19, 2017. July 19, 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  39. Web site: Sydney beach memorial for Justine Damond as family awaits justice. Julia. Carlisle. July 15, 2018. The Sydney Morning Herald. July 15, 2018.
  40. News: July 20, 2017 . Justine Damond shooting: US lawyer hits back at officer's ambush claims . The Guardian . July 25, 2017 . 0261-3077 . Associated Press.
  41. News: Andy Mannix and Randy Furst . July 20, 2017 . 911 call transcript offers glimpse into Justine Damond's final moments before fatal shooting by Minneapolis police . . July 15, 2020.
  42. News: Warrant: Woman slapped squad car before cop fatally shot Ruszczyk. Feshir. Riham. July 25, 2017.
  43. News: Search Warrants in Damond Shooting Indicate Woman Slapped Patrol Car. KSTP. July 25, 2017.
  44. News: Authorities Searched Damond's Home; Law Prof Believes That Could 'Cause An International Incident'. Josh Rosenthal. KSTP News. July 25, 2017.
  45. News: Prosecution's case against Noor takes a hit with restrictions on trial evidence. Chao Xiong. Star Tribune. March 1, 2019.
    - Web site: Minneapolis Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Justine Damond Refusing To Be Interviewed. Lara. Pearce. July 19, 2017. July 20, 2017. Huff Post.
  46. Web site: Minneapolis officer says partner fired shot that killed Australian woman moments after loud sound. July 19, 2017. August 20, 2017. Los Angeles Times.
  47. Web site: Mitchell . Peter . August 4, 2017 . Justine Damond death: Minneapolis police chief Janee Harteau awarded . The Sydney Morning Herald . August 4, 2017.
  48. Web site: Dave Orrick . July 20, 2017 . Minneapolis Police Chief Harteau: 'Justine didn't have to die' . Twin Cities Pioneer Press . July 22, 2017.
  49. News: Grand jury convenes in police shooting of Justine Damond . Pioneer Press . St. Paul, MN. AP . February 6, 2018 . February 16, 2018.
  50. News: Jany . Libor . February 15, 2018 . Partner of officer who shot Justine Damond appears before grand jury . Star-Tribune . Minneapolis, MN . February 16, 2018.
  51. News: Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor turns himself in on murder, manslaughter charges in Justine Damond killing. Libor Jany. March 21, 2018 . Star Tribune. July 15, 2020.
  52. Web site: Former Minnesota officer released on $400K bail in Australian woman's shooting death. .
  53. News: Murder charge upgraded against Justine Damond policeman. Candace Suttin. December 8, 2018. news.com.au.
    - Web site: Prosecutors seek intentional murder charge against ex-cop who killed Justine Damond. Amy. Forliti. July 15, 2020. Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
  54. News: US police officer jailed for shooting Australian woman after she called 911 . ABC News . 12 January 2021 . en-AU . 7 June 2019.
  55. News: Justine Damond: US policeman guilty of Australian's murder . April 30, 2019 . BBC News.
  56. Web site: Twelve jurors, 24 hours, two guilty verdicts: the inside story of the Justine Ruszczyk trial. 9News. May 4, 2019 .
  57. News: Police association claims racial prejudice played major role in Mohamed Noor's conviction. May 2, 2019. ABC News. May 4, 2019.
  58. News: Walsh . Paul . 2022-06-27 . Ex-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor is released from North Dakota prison . . 2022-06-27.
  59. News: Staff. 2021-02-01. Appeals court affirms Mohamed Noor's 3rd-degree murder conviction in Justine Ruszczyk shooting. FOX-9. 2021-02-01.
  60. Rochelle Olson, With unusual speed, Minn. Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal in Noor case, Star Tribune (March 1, 2021)
  61. News: Xiong. Chao. Olson. Rochelle. 2021-09-15. Supreme Court overturns third-degree murder conviction against ex-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor. Star Tribune. 2021-09-15.
  62. News: 2022-06-23 . Noor transferred to non-DOC facility ahead of Monday release . . 2022-06-23.
  63. Web site: 'Not a victory to anyone': Damond's family awarded $US20 million. Amy. Forliti. May 4, 2019. The Sydney Morning Herald. May 4, 2019.
  64. News: City of Minneapolis reaches US$27 million settlement with George Floyd's family. Janelle. Griffith. Shaquille. Brewster. NBC News. March 12, 2021. April 19, 2021.
  65. News: Floyd family agrees to $27M settlement amidst ex-cop's trial. Steve. Karnowski. Amy. Forliti. Associated Press. March 12, 2021. April 19, 2021.
  66. Web site: Jennifer Bjorhus . July 23, 2017 . Fast-track training put officer Mohamed Noor on Minneapolis police force . July 15, 2020 . Star Tribune.
  67. Web site: Liz Burke . July 21, 2017 . Minneapolis police damning of officer who shot Justine . July 24, 2017 . news.com.au.
  68. Web site: Miles . Molly . July 23, 2017 . There is No "Fast-Track" Training Option for MPD Officers . July 25, 2017 . Minneapolis Police.
    - News: William Bornhoft . July 24, 2017 . News Reports About 'Fast-Track Training' Are False: MPD . Patch . July 15, 2020.
  69. News: Minneapolis Police Chief Forced Out After Fatal Shooting of Australian Woman. Mitch. Smith. July 21, 2017. July 22, 2017. The New York Times.
    - Web site: Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau resigns. Star Tribune. Libor Jany, Andy Mannix and Eric Roper . July 22, 2017. July 15, 2020.
  70. Erin Golden, "In Mayor Betsy Hodges' re-election loss, Minneapolis voters were 'looking for something different'", Star Tribune, November 11, 2017.
  71. Web site: 'Body-Worn Cameras Must Be On': Mpls. Officials Announce MPD Policy Changes: Officers Must Turn On Camera For Every Call They Respond To. Nina. Moini. July 26, 2017. July 27, 2017. WCCO-TV.
  72. Web site: Did a policy aimed at building trust in the Minneapolis Police Department end up doing the opposite?. Peter. Callaghan. July 27, 2017. July 27, 2017. MinnPost.
  73. Bunn, Curtis and Charles, Nick (30 May 2020). "Black men in Minneapolis outraged over Floyd killing, distrustful of judicial system". NBC News. Retrieved on 7 July 2020.
  74. Ellis, Justin (9 June 2020). "Minneapolis Had This Coming: My hometown faces not just a rebuilding but a reckoning". The Atlantic. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  75. News: Staff . 2020-06-08 . Father of Justine Ruszczyk Damond responds to death of George Floyd . KSTP .
  76. Web site: November 20, 2017 . Without Rhyme or Reason . ABC . November 20, 2017.