Justin Damond’s Tragic Story: A Reflection
In 2017, Justin Damond, an Australian-American yoga instructor, reported strange sounds in the alley behind his home, suspecting someone might be hurt. He promptly called the police.
When the police arrived, one of the officers was Mohamed Noor, an immigrant from Somalia. While Damond was speaking with other officers, Noor fired through the driver’s side window, tragically striking her in the chest and killing her on the spot.
He received a mere 12-year prison sentence for the incident.
“You might not be familiar with this case because it didn’t spark riots or protests. No buildings burned, no overwhelming cries to remember her name. Even your favorite social justice advocate or aware pastor didn’t mention her,” noted a host during a discussion about how society reacts to such tragedies.
The discussion also highlighted that, in a twist, the Minnesota Supreme Court overturned Noor’s murder conviction in 2021, citing a lack of evidence, and he was later convicted of manslaughter instead.
Noor claimed he shot Damond because the loud noise made him feel threatened. “This woman was unarmed, wearing pajamas when she approached him,” said the host.
Then the question was raised: “If this had been an ICE officer who shot a liberal woman, or a white officer who killed a black man, would Minneapolis have erupted in flames?”
The conversation shifted to another case, that of Renee Nicole Good, who was awarded $1.5 million after being shot while driving her car toward ICE officers at a protest.
Meanwhile, celebrities, like Ariana Grande, have protested against ICE, even wearing “ICE Out” pins at events.
“At those fancy awards shows, there are borders. Security is tight. If I tried to create a scene there, I’d probably be tackled or worse,” the host remarked, pondering the safety measures that celebrities enjoy compared to ordinary citizens.
She also reflected on the juxtapositions of privilege, questioning how celebrities manage their security, while the average American faces much more daunting realities. “It’s as if they believe they can afford safety while others, like innocent families in Minnesota, should just face the consequences,” she concluded.
