Officer who shot Australian woman felt called to police work

"A shocking killing"

Megan O'Leary, of St. Paul, leaves a message on the sidewalk near the scene where a Minneapolis police officer shot and killed Justine Damond, of Australia Monday in Minneapolis. Relatives and neighbors of the Australian woman fatally shot by Minneapolis police over the weekend demanded answers Monday about the mysterious shooting in which the meditation teacher was reportedly killed by an officer who fired from the passenger seat of a squad car as the woman stood outside the driver's door. - photo by Associated Press

W death — Megan O'Leary, of St. Paul, leaves a message on the sidewalk near the scene where a Minneapolis police officer shot and killed Justine Damond, of Australia Monday in Minneapolis. Relatives and neighbors of the Australian woman fatally shot by Minneapolis police over the weekend demanded answers Monday about the mysterious shooting in which the meditation teacher was reportedly killed by an officer who fired from the passenger seat of a squad car as the woman stood outside the driver's door. - photo by Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an Australian woman in an alley shortly after she called 911 to report a possible crime is a young Somali-American and father who felt called to work in law enforcement after getting a college degree in business.Mohamed Noor, 32, joined the police force two years ago and is among more Somalis hired in recent years as the department continues its efforts to diversify. To those in Minnesota's Somali community, the largest in the United States, he was seen as a role model, and his hiring was celebrated."Among police, he was one of the good guys," said Suud Olat, a refugee advocate and interpreter.But Noor is now on paid administrative leave as authorities investigate why he shot and killed 40-year-old Justine Damond, a meditation teacher and bride-to-be. Damond's fiancé said she called 911 on Saturday night about what she believed was an active sexual assault.

Associated Press

Associated Press