The ex-Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering unarmed Australian woman Justine Damond has had his bail set at $US400,000 ($A514,533) despite prosecutors arguing he is a flight risk.
Mohamed Noor, 32, was on Tuesday charged over the fatal shooting of the 40-year-old life coach, who had called police to report a possible sexual assault happening behind her Minneapolis home last July.
Noor did not enter a plea on the third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges.
Supporters of Noor attended the hearing with Kiman Ugas, a Minneapolis community activist, claiming the "system failed" the US police officer.
"Mohamed Noor is an immigrant, African American Muslim...he's got so many strikes...he killed a white woman [sic] that's why he's there today. The system failed Mohamed Noor," she told Seven News.
Judge Kathryn Quaintance set his bail at $US500,000 ($A643,872) without conditions, or $US400,000 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.
Authorities say Damond made the 911 call after hearing what she thought was an assault and approached the police after their arrival.
Matthew Harrity, the officer driving the police car from which Noor shot, 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 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."
Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Amy Sweasy said during the 10-minute hearing in Hennepin County District Court that prosecutors had believed Noor might flee and argued for $US500,000 bail.
A handout photo made available by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office shows Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor. Source: AAP
"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 where he was raised since aged five justified release. He said Noor never tried to leave the country and offered to turn over Noor's passport.
"Mr Noor does not pose a threat to public safety," Plunkett said, who declined to speak with reporters afterward.
On Tuesday, Plunkett said his client should not have been charged and he was simply following his training.
Noor was placed on paid leave from the police force after the shooting, and Sweasy said that his employment ended. It was not clear if he resigned or was fired, and police declined comment.
Wearing an orange short-sleeved shirt that read "Hennepin County Jail" on back, Noor only spoke at the hearing to calmly spell his name and provide his birthday and address to the judge.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 9 May.
Noor remained in jail Wednesday afternoon.
