Justine Damond's family calls for officer who fatally shot her to be charged

By Chris Kenning

The family of an Australian woman who was fatally shot wants the Minneapolis policeman involved charged, their attorney says, as investigators send evidence collected to the local prosecutor.

On Tuesday state investigators did not release their findings in the July 15 shooting of Sydney native Justine Damond, 40, who died from a single gunshot fired by Officer Mohamed Noor.

His partner, Officer Matthew Harrity, has told investigators that he heard a loud bang before Noor fired across him and hit Damond in the abdomen as she approached their police car. She died 20 minutes later despite CPR efforts.

May 2016 file image provided by the City of Minneapolis of police officer Mohamed Noor, who fatally shot Justine Damond on July 15.

Noor has refused to give a statement to police.

Damond had called police about a possible sexual assault near her house and had approached the police after their arrival, authorities previously said. Damond was living in Minneapolis and engaged to be married.

The shooting sparked outrage in Minnesota as well as in Australia, where Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the incident "shocking" and "inexplicable". Minneapolis' police chief resigned after city officials said procedures had been violated during the incident and Damond "didn't have to die".

The attorney for Damond's family, Bob Bennett, said her family believes the officer should be held accountable.

"They certainly believe charges are merited," he said in a telephone interview.

The most likely charges may be second-degree manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years, Bennett said.

Attorneys for the officers could not be reached. Noor previously expressed condolences to the Damond family in a statement, but declined to discuss the shooting.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman will review the case file to determine what, if any, charges might be brought after the findings were submitted Tuesday, according to a statement. A decision is expected by the end of the year, his office said.

Freeman thanked the BCA for the "hard work" it had put into the investigation.

"Several senior prosecutors will now carefully review the case file to determine what, if any, charges might be brought," he said. "As is often the case in these types of investigations, the county attorney's office will remain in contact with the BCA and may ask for additional investigation during this review."

Harrity told investigators he was startled by a loud sound near the patrol car shortly before Noor fired through the open driver's-side window, striking Damond. Court documents said a woman slapped the back of the car before the shooting.

Noor was put on paid leave after the shooting. Neither officer had their body cameras activated, police have said.

Damond's family has not yet filed a civil lawsuit, Bennett said. He is the same lawyer who reached a nearly $US3 million ($4m) settlement for the family of black motorist Philando Castile who was shot and killed by Minnesota police in July 2016 during a traffic stop.

Because of past criticism over a lack of transparency when grand juries consider possible charges in police shootings, Freeman plans to decide on charges himself, his spokesman said.

Freeman's office said in a statement it might ask for additional investigation into the matter.

- AAP