A former Minnesota police officer charged with murdering an unarmed Australian woman represents a flight risk and had his bail set at $400,000.

Mohamed Noor, 32, who has been charged in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Justine Ruszczyk Damond in July last year, did not enter a plea on the third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges when he appeared in court in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Judge Kathryn Quaintance set his bail at $500,000 without conditions, or $400,000 if he agreed to no contact with the other officer present at the shooting, surrendered his passport and agreed to avoid possession of any firearms.

Damond, originally from Sydney, was living in Minneapolis with her partner, Don Damond, whom she had planned to marry in August last year.

She called 911 to report a possible sexual assault near her house, and she approached the police after their arrival, authorities said.

Matthew Harrity, the officer driving the police car, said he was startled by a loud sound and both officers “got spooked” when Damond appeared out of nowhere, prosecutors said.

The shooting drew condemnation in Minnesota and Australia, where Malcolm Turnbull called it “shocking” and “inexplicable.” Then-Minneapolis police chief Jamee Harteau resigned after city officials said procedures had been violated and Damond “didn’t have to die”.

Amy Sweasy, assistant Hennepin county attorney, said during the 10-minute hearing in Hennepin county district court that prosecutors had believed Noor might flee and argued for $500,000 bail.

“There were non-appearance concerns in the fall that Mr Noor left the country or jurisdiction … but he was here,” she said, adding that a witness offered to hide the defendant.

Noor’s attorney, Tom Plunkett, argued his client’s deep roots in the community justified his release on bail, adding that he posed no threat to public safety. He said Noor never tried to leave the country and offered to turn over Noor’s passport.

Noor was placed on paid leave from the police force after the shooting, and Sweasy said that his employment had been ended. It was not clear if he resigned or was fired, and police declined comment.



The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 8 May. Noor remained in jail on Wednesday until he met his bail conditions.