The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) today confirmed identity of the two Minneapolis Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Justine Damond on Saturday. The officers have been identified as Matthew Harrity, who has been an officer with the MPD for one year; and Mohamed Noor who has been an officer with the MPD for 21 months. BCA agents interviewed Officer Harrity on Tuesday. So far, Officer Noor has declined to be interviewed by BCA agents and officials say Noor’s attorney did not provide clarification on when, if ever, an interview would be possible.
According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, officers Harrity and Noor responded to a 911 call from Damond of a possible assault near her residence just after 11:30 p.m. Officer Harrity was driving. Officer Noor was in the passenger seat. The officers drove to the area in search of a suspect. All squad lights were off. As they reached West 51st Street, Officer Harrity said that he was startled by a loud sound near the car. Immediately afterward Damond approached the driver’s side window of the squad. Harrity indicated that Officer Noor discharged his weapon, striking Damond through the open driver’s side window. The officers immediately exited the squad and provided medical attention until medical personnel arrived. Damond was pronounced dead at the scene. Both officers have been placed on standard administrative leave.
Officer Harrity told investigators that he and Officer Noor saw an 18-25-year-old white male who was bicycling eastbound on West 51st Street immediately before the shooting. This individual stopped at the scene and watched as the officers provided medical assistance to Damond. BCA agents would like to speak with this person, and anyone else who may have witnessed the incident. These individuals are asked to contact the BCA (651-793-7000). Crime scene personnel recovered a cell phone near the victim. No weapons were recovered.
Body cameras were not turned on until after the shooting incident. The squad camera was not turned on. Investigators are aware of no video or audio of the shooting.
The BCA’s investigation into the shooting is active and ongoing. The BCA has briefed the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office about all evidence and information obtained in this investigation to date and the BCA will present its findings without recommendations to the county attorney for review once the investigation is complete.