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convicted former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor of murder and manslaughter

 in the shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk, emotions were still raw as city officials met with community members about a mile from where Ruszczyk was shot nearly two years ago.

 
City Council member Linea Palmisano said she started planning the meeting early last week, when jurors began deliberations in Noor's trial. On Tuesday night Palmisano sat on the same stage where Ruszczyk led meditation and gave talks about science and spirituality. 

 
"I'd like us to sit back and call on the highest of intentions for being here tonight," she said. "I'd like to welcome this in this space where Justine taught and that she brought her wisdom and her love." 

 
Beside Palmisano were Mayor Jacob Frey as well as police Chief Medaria Arradondo, who appeared without his uniform. Arradondo took over the department from Janee Harteau, who resigned after facing criticism following the shooting. 
 

"I certainly do not want her death taken in vain. And as your chief I want to do everything I can to make sure that there's some meaning and I can help to try to steer our police department forward," he said. "Sanctity of life is so very crucial. She didn't have that that evening."

 
Noor fatally shot Ruszczyk — who also went by Justine Damond — after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in an alley near her home. Last week, following Noor's conviction, the city 

 to settle a wrongful death suit with her family. 

 
Leaders of the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community allowed the media to observe, but asked them not to record audience members' questions and comments. 

 
A number of people raised concerns about so-called warrior or "fear-based" police training, which Arradondo and Frey 

Other residents said Noor's trial exposed a police department culture of incompetence and corruption that led to officers shutting off their body-worn cameras while responding to the scene. 

The shooting of Justine Ruszczyk and trial of former officer Mohamed Noor

 
Veteran activist Mel Reeves received applause from the audience when he demanded that investigators reopen other high-profile police shooting cases, particularly that of Jamar Clark, an African-American man killed in 2015. Prosecutors did not bring charges against the two white officers, but a civil suit against them is pending. 

 
After the gathering, Mindy Barry, who lived across the street from Ruszczyk, said the city leaders on the stage are nice people. But she says systemic change is needed at the police department, and that she simply does not trust it.

 
Barry found trial testimony from Noor's partner Matthew Harrity particularly chilling. Harrity said in court that he saw every call as a threat "until it isn't a threat anymore." 

 
Barry says her teenage son was out that same evening. 


"And they would have seen a kid trying out his new shoes running around the block and they would have seen him as a threat, just like they saw Justine as a threat," she said. "I have no doubt that they would have seen him as a threat and they would have shot at him." 

 
Fred Kuhnen, who also lives in the neighborhood, said police were on trial along with Noor, and that the department failed miserably. Kuhnen said he doesn't buy Arradondo's contention that there's no "blue wall of silence" among officers. 
 

"I believe the current system, it's not working for citizens," he said. "And I would also submit it's not working for good cops. I can't imagine being a police officer who's trying to do the right thing amidst the current environment." 

 
Arradondo said he's conducting a full review of the Ruszczyk shooting with the aim of improving policies, procedures and officer training. The chief said he's not certain when the review will be complete, but pledged to provide the public with a summary.

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A week after jurors convicted former officer Mohamed Noor of murder in Justine Ruszczyk's death, city leaders met with residents at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community, where Ruszczyk was active as a speaker and teacher.

Community still frustrated over Ruszczyk shooting

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