News

Fiance Of Woman Shot By Minneapolis Police Officer Speaks Out

by Alexandra Spychalsky

The fiance of Justine Damond, the Australian woman who was fatally shot by Minneapolis police on Saturday night, spoke out about the incident on Monday afternoon. Don Damond said that his family is "utterly devastated," and has still received little information about what transpired from the Minneapolis police. The Minneapolis Police Department was unable to comment on the investigation. Bustle has reached out to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the incident.

Justine Damond, 40, reportedly called 911 on Saturday night to report a possible assault in the alley behind her home. The Star Tribune cites three sources when describing what little is known about the incident. The sources said that two officers arrived in their squad car to respond to the 911 call, and Damond went to the driver's side of the car to speak with the officers. The officer in the passenger seat then allegedly shot Damond through the driver's side door.

The shooting was a shock to the neighborhood and those who knew Damond, and her fiance shared his grief while reading a statement outside their home on Monday.

“We lost the dearest of people and are desperate for information,” Damond said, the Star Tribune reported. “Piecing together Justine’s last moments before the homicide would provide small comfort as we grieve this tragedy.”

Despite the fact that almost two days have passed since the shooting, the officer involved in the shooting has been identified, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has confirmed it has completed an autopsy, there are still many questions about why the shooting transpired. The officers' body cameras where reportedly off at the time of the shooting, despite the body camera program being in place precinct-wide in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges called the incident "tragic," and said she wanted to know more about the situation.

“I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by the fatal officer-involved shooting that happened last night,” Hodges said. “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 and Don were to marry in August, and though they were not yet married, Justine chose to use his last name, and Don's son, Zach Damond, 22, referred to Justine as his mother.

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

Don described Justine as “living a life of openness, love and kindness.”

“Our lives are forever changed as a result of knowing her, she was so kind and so darn funny, she made us all laugh with her great wit and her humor,” Damond said. “It is difficult to fathom how to go forward without her in my life.”