Partner of Accused Ex-Cop: Feared Ambush Before Woman Shot

Partner of Accused Ex-Cop: Feared Ambush Before Woman Shot
Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor left, arrived with his defense attorneys Peter Wold, center, and Thomas Plunkett, right, before another day of testimony in Noor's murder and manslaughter trial in Minneapolis on April 17, 2019. (Jeff Baenen/AP Photo)
The Associated Press
4/18/2019
Updated:
4/18/2019

MINNEAPOLIS—The partner of a Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed woman who had called 911 to report a possible crime testified on April 18 that he heard a thump on the officers’ squad car right before the shooting and feared a possible ambush.

Officer Matthew Harrity’s testimony echoed a key claim by attorneys for Mohamed Noor, who fired a single shot at Justine Ruszczyk Damond as she approached the officers’ squad car on July 15, 2017.

Damond had placed two 911 calls that night to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home. Struck in the abdomen, the 40-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Australia quickly bled to death in an incident that sparked anger and disbelief in both countries.
Justine Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, from Sydney, is seen in this 2015 photo released by Stephen Govel Photography in New York, on July 17, 2017. (Stephen Govel Photography/Handout via Reuters)
Justine Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, from Sydney, is seen in this 2015 photo released by Stephen Govel Photography in New York, on July 17, 2017. (Stephen Govel Photography/Handout via Reuters)

Prosecutors have questioned the defense narrative of a thump on the squad car, saying investigators found no forensic evidence that Damond touched it. They’ve also questioned the timing of the claim, saying Harrity first mentioned it days after the shooting and after investigators raised the possibility.

Noor never talked to investigators and it isn’t clear whether he will testify.

On Thursday, Harrity described a tense scene, with he and Noor rolling down the dark alley with headlights off, using a spotlight to search for any evidence of a woman in trouble. Harrity, who was driving, said that at one point he took a safety off his holster, but that when they neared the end of the alley without finding anything, he thought he had replaced it.

Harrity—wearing his uniform and appearing composed on the stand—testified that he then had a “weird feeling” to his left but couldn’t make out what it was.

This courtroom sketch depicts Minneapolis police officer Matthew Harrity as he testifies in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 18, 2019.(Cedric Hohnstadt via AP)
This courtroom sketch depicts Minneapolis police officer Matthew Harrity as he testifies in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 18, 2019.(Cedric Hohnstadt via AP)

“At this time, I hear something hit the car and I also hear some sort of murmur,” he said. He immediately drew his gun and held it to his ribs pointing downward, he said.

Prosecutor Amy Sweasy asked Harrity whether he always pulled his gun when startled. He said it depends.

“In this situation, with the thump and being startled, I went straight to, ‘This could be an ambush,’” Harrity answered. He added: “My first thought is, I’m going to make sure whatever it was is not a threat to me.”

Harrity said that as he tried to make sense of what was happening, he heard a pop and looked over to see that Noor had fired across him and through the driver’s side window.

This courtroom sketch depicts former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, center, and his attorneys Thomas Plunkett, left, and Peter Wold, as they listen to Minneapolis police officer Matthew Harrity, as Harrity testifies in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 18, 2019 (Cedric Hohnstadt via AP)
This courtroom sketch depicts former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, center, and his attorneys Thomas Plunkett, left, and Peter Wold, as they listen to Minneapolis police officer Matthew Harrity, as Harrity testifies in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 18, 2019 (Cedric Hohnstadt via AP)
Neither officer had their body cameras running at that point, something Harrity blamed on what he called a vague policy that didn’t require it. Both men switched them on afterward, and a portion of Harrity’s was played Thursday.

It shows efforts by the two men to save Damond with CPR. Damond’s labored breathing is heard, with Harrity saying, “Stay with me, stay with me, stay breathing.” He also is heard addressing his partner: “Noor, breathe, just breathe.”

This courtroom sketch depicts Minneapolis police officer Matthew Harrity, center, as he testifies on April 18, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minn., during the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, his former partner, who fatally shot an unarmed Australian woman, Justine Ruszczyk Damond, in July, 2017, after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault behind her home. (Cedric Hohnstadt via AP)
This courtroom sketch depicts Minneapolis police officer Matthew Harrity, center, as he testifies on April 18, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minn., during the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, his former partner, who fatally shot an unarmed Australian woman, Justine Ruszczyk Damond, in July, 2017, after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault behind her home. (Cedric Hohnstadt via AP)

At one point, as Harrity steps away to get medical supplies, he cautions Noor to slow down the CPR, and reassures Noor that an ambulance is coming.

A medical examiner testified earlier that Damond was hit in a key artery and lost so much blood so quickly that even faster medical care might not have saved her.

Much of the prosecution’s early case focused on the handling of the crime scene by police and state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents, including possible missteps. They also highlighted officers turning their body cameras on and off repeatedly after the shooting.
By Amy Forliti