Damond's father, John Ruszcyzk, and her fiance, Don Damond, issued a joint statement on behalf of both families, saying they applauded the decision to charge Noor "as one step toward justice for this iniquitous act". They said they are pleased that the investigation appeared diligent and thorough, and they hope for a conviction. "No charges can bring our Justine back. However, justice demands accountability for those responsible for recklessly killing the fellow citizens they are sworn to protect, and today's actions reflect that," the statement said. Noor was booked into Hennepin County jail on Tuesday morning and bail was set at $US500,000 ($650,000). "There is no evidence that officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force," Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday. "Instead, officer Noor recklessly and intentionally fired his handgun. Such actions violate the criminal law."

After Noor shot her, Ms Damond put her hands on the gunshot wound on the left side of her abdomen and said, "I'm dying" or "I'm dead," Freeman said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The shooting drew condemnation in Minnesota and Australia, where Prime Minister 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." The second-degree manslaughter charge alleges he acted with "culpable negligence creating unreasonable risk". If convicted of third-degree murder, he could face a maximum of 25 years in prison, though the presumptive sentence is half of that. A judge could issue a sentence ranging from about 10½ to 15 years.

The second-degree manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but the presumptive sentence is four years. Ms Damond, 40, was shot dead after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind the Minneapolis home she shared with her fiance. Ms Damond, who was unarmed, died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Betsy Custis, right, and others attend a march in honour of Justine Damond at Beard's Plaisance Park in Minneapolis. Credit:Star Tribune via AP Noor's partner, officer Matthew Harrity, who witnessed the shooting, previously told investigators that he was startled by a loud noise right before Damond appeared at the driver's side window of their police SUV on July 15. Harrity, who was driving, said Noor then fired his weapon from the passenger seat and through the open window, shooting Ms Damond. "Importantly he could not see the person's hands and estimated the person was two feet away from him," Mr Freeman said.

"Harrity saw no weapons. However, Harrity claimed he was startled, took his gun out of his holster and held it against his rib cage pointing downward. "Harrity said from the driver's seat he had a better vantage point to determine a threat on his side of the car than officer Noor did from the passenger side." Mr Freeman said Noor reached across officer Harrity and shot Ms Damond. Officer Harrity allegedly heard what sounded like a light bulb dropping on to the floor and saw a flash. Officer Harrity checked to see if he had been shot, the prosecutor said. "He saw officer Noor's right hand extend across him toward officer Harrity's open window," Mr Freeman said. "Office Harrity then looked out his window and saw a woman.

"Justine Ruszczyk [Damond] had put her hands on the wound on the left side of her abdomen and said 'I'm dying' or 'I'm dead'." The officers turned on their bodycams after the shooting and attempted to resuscitate Ms Damond but were not successful. Noor has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting. Noor has not spoken publicly about the case. His lawyer, Thomas Plunkett, confirmed Noor turned himself in, but had no other immediate comment. In December, Ms Damond's father John Ruszczyk aired his family's concerns into the investigation of his daughter's shooting. He said the investigation "has not been done to the prosecutor's satisfaction or even to the expected levels of accuracy and thoroughness".

Freeman, Minneapolis' top prosecutor, had delayed his decision in December, saying his office needed more time and he did not have enough evidence to charge Noor. "I have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt [that] the moment he shot the gun, he feared for his life. And he used force because he thought he was gonna be killed," Mr Freeman reportedly told a group of activists. "But I can't. He won't answer my questions because he doesn't have to, OK. We all have Fifth Amendment rights, and I respect that. "So I can't talk to her because she's gone, and the other cop just gave us some [expletive], OK. So guess what. I gotta figure out angles of the shot, gun residues, reckless use of force experts." AP, Fairfax Media