Damond's Death Shows We Need Police Reform: Rep. Ellison

U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison, a Democrat who represents Minneapolis and other parts of the west metro, released a statement Tuesday regarding the shooting death of resident Justine Damond in which he called for a "broad, comprehensive response" to combat the systemic problem of fatal police shootings.

"Over the weekend, our community was shaken by yet another unarmed person killed by a Minneapolis police officer," Ellison said. "Justine Damond, who was reported to be in her pajamas, and outside because she saw another person being sexually assaulted, was due to be married in just a few weeks. In fact, she was the one who called 911."

Related: 5 Things To Know About Justine Damond Fatal Police Shooting

"My sympathies go out to Justine's fiancé Don, to Don's son Zach, to her family, and to all those who knew and loved her," Ellison continued. "Our community is still working to cope with the deaths of Philando Castile, Jamar Clark, and many others. But at the end of the day, our prayers are not enough."

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"We need to confront the reality of so many unarmed people killed by the same officers who swear an oath to protect us. Justine’s death shows no one should assume 'officer-involved shootings' only happen in a certain part of town or to certain kinds of people. This is a systemic problem which calls for a broad, comprehensive response. It’s particularly disturbing that video evidence is not available because the officers switched off their body cameras."

"This tragedy, and others like it, will persist as long as our society resists holding our law enforcement accountable."

"It’s going to take all of us, together, to see justice done and progress made."

Photo by Stephen Govel, used with permission