Australians have long been wary of America’s Second Amendment. Last week’s fatal shooting of an innocent Australian woman in Minnesota has only stoked their fears.
Justine Damond, 40, had called the police to report a local crime in Minneapolis. In the midst of some confusion, the officers she had called ended up accidentally shooting her to death.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Australian media is fuming over America’s relaxed gun laws. Australia has some of the strictest gun laws in the world - why can't America learn from them, they wonder.
A Daily Telegraph headline read, “AMERICAN NIGHTMARE.”
“This country is infested with possibly more guns than people,” Philip Alpers, a gun policy analyst from the University of Sydney, told the Associated Press.
It’s not just the media that want answers. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also wants the U.S. to address the “shocking” shooting.
"How can a woman out in the street in her pyjamas seeking assistance from the police be shot like that?" he asked.
"It is a shocking killing, it is inexplicable.
"Yes, we are demanding answers on behalf of her family and our hearts go out to her family and all of her friends and loved ones."
More details emerged Wednesday into what transpired in the moments before the shooting. An officer reportedly heard a loud noise on the scene, leading to the deadly confusion.
Near the end of the alley, a “loud sound” startled Harrity. A moment later, Justine Damond, the woman who had called 911, approached the driver’s side of the squad car. Suddenly a surprise burst of gunfire blasted past Harrity as Noor fired through the squad’s open window, striking Damond in the abdomen.
The two officers began lifesaving efforts, but within 20 minutes Damond was dead.