Lawsuit in police shooting of Australian woman put on hold

Published 8:17 am Wednesday, October 3, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS — A lawsuit filed by the family of an Australian woman who was fatally shot by a Minneapolis police officer last year has been put on hold while a criminal case against the officer proceeds.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Tony Leung ruled Tuesday that the $50 million civil rights lawsuit filed by the father of Justine Ruszczyk Damond will be delayed until the state’s case against Mohamed Noor is resolved through a dismissal, an acquittal or a sentencing.

Noor is charged with murder and manslaughter in connection with the July 15, 2017 shooting. Prosecutors say he shot Damond after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home.

Email newsletter signup

He is scheduled to go to trial in April .