Minneapolis police chief resigns

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Minneapolis police chief Janee Harteau resigned amid growing anger over the fatal police shooting of an unarmed Australian woman on Friday.

She quit at the request of the city's mayor, who said that she and the community had lost confidence in Harteau following the incident.

The death of Sydney native Justine Damond, 40, from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen fired through the open window of a police patrol car, has outraged her family members and the Australian public. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called it "shocking" and "inexplicable."

Meanwhile, protesters filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis, demanding – among other things – greater police accountability and reform. Some celebrated news of the police chief's resignation.

The family of Justine Damond are seen during a vigil for their daughter at Freshwater Beach on July 19, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. /VCG Photo

In an evening news conference the mayor held to speak further about the changes, an angry group of protesters interrupted her within minutes of taking the podium.

Mayor Betsy Hodges promised to remain in her post, but said she understood the frustration of residents following the police shooting of Justine Damond last Saturday night, which has ignited an international outcry.

The 40-year-old Australian native had moved to the US to marry her fiance. She called police to report a possible assault near her home and was shot to death by one of two responding officers as she walked up to their police car – reportedly still in her pajamas.

Harteau's resignation came a day after she told reporters during her first news conference following Damond's death that the shooting violated department training and procedures and that the victim "didn't have to die."

(Source: Reuters, AFP)

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