SYDNEY (AP) - The family of an Australian woman fatally shot by a police officer in the United States in July has demanded a more rigorous probe into the incident after a Minnesota prosecutor cast doubts on the initial investigation.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman last week said investigators "haven't done their job" in relation to the shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond by Officer Mohamed Noor in Minneapolis.
Reading a statement to media in Sydney, Damond's father John Ruszczyk says her family was deeply concerned about the possibility "the initial investigation was not done properly, and with the greatest integrity or sense of completeness."
He says they "implore Mr. Freeman and the prosecutor's office to continue to pursue a rigorous investigation and examination of evidence of the events leading to Justine's death."
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issued a statement in response to John Ruszczyk's concerns, saying it is committed to conducting a fair, impartial and thorough investigation as it gathers facts and evidence in the case.
The BCA says it turned the case over to Freeman's office on Sept. 12 and will continue to work with prosecutors as they review the case. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton defended the state agency saying he understands the family is distraught but that the BCA has performed its job rigorously.
Freeman's office declined to comment Thursday on the family's statement.