Rally held in support of former Minneapolis Police Officer Noor

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Supporters of former Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor held a rally at the Hennepin County Government Center, where he is scheduled to be sentenced Friday in the shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond.

“We are here to express our deep concerns about a judicial system, where citizens of color in particular people of African descent are victimized with no redress and those accused of crimes are unable to get a fair trial,” said Alana Ramadan, the rally organizer.

In April, a jury found Noor guilty of third-degree murder and second degree manslaughter for fatally shooting Damond in July of 2017. Damond had called police to report a possible sexual assault. The shooting happened when Damond approached the police squad car on the driver's side. Noor, who was in the passenger seat, shot Damond. She was unarmed.

During the trial, Noor repeatedly testified he "had to make a split-second decision to protect [his] partner.” 

For the first time since the jury found Noor guilty, his father and brother spoke publicly on the high-profile case.

“Mohamed knows and believes in the sanctity of life – any attempts by the prosecution to say otherwise are not founded in truth but in theater,” said Ahmed Abbas Noor, Mohamed Noor’s brother.

Noor’s family said they want people to know how devastated he is and how much his job meant to him.

“Mohamed did not take his job as a Minneapolis police officer lightly, and when he says that his world came crashing down that night, I assure you it still lays shattered at his feet,” said Ahmed Abbas Noor.

According to sentencing guidelines, Noor faces up to 15 years in prison. His defense team is fighting for a shorter sentence and filed 44 letters written in support of Noor to the court.