Speaking outside the courtroom after Mohamed Noor, 32, had his bail set at $514,333, community activist Kiman Ugas claimed the former-Minneapolis police officer was let down by the system.
Mohamed Noor was on Tuesday charged over the fatal shooting of 40-year-old life coach Justine Damond, who had called police to report a possible sexual assault happening behind her Minneapolis home last July.
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.
Justine Damond Ruszczyk was shot dead after calling 911 about a possible sexual assault. Source: AAP
Noor has been charged with third-degree murder, which carries a maximum 25-year maximum prison term, and second degree manslaughter, with a maximum 10-year sentence.
The quietly spoken Noor, 32, did not enter a plea.
Prosecutor Amy Sweasy told the judge authorities were concerned Somali-born Noor might leave the US if granted bail, but his lawyer Thomas Plunkett rejected that and pointed to his strong ties, including a young family, in Minneapolis.
"Mr Noor does not pose a threat to public safety," Mr Plunkett said.
Ms Damond, a 40-year-old former Sydney resident and life coach, called 911 at 11.27pm on July 15 last year when she heard a woman's screams near an alley behind her Minneapolis home.
When Noor and his partner, Officer Matthew Harrity, arrived in their squad car Ms Damond, dressed in her pyjamas, approached and startled the officers, prosecutors said.
Noor, from his passenger seat, shot across his partner and struck Ms Damond with a single fatal bullet in her chest.
Ms Damond's shocking death has brought worldwide attention to the twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul that have a history of controversial police shootings, police officer acquittals, violent protests and racial tension.
Noor's prosecution and the potential trial has put the city on edge again.
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau lost her job in the aftermath of Ms Damond's death and in November Mayor Betsy Hodges became only the second Minneapolis mayor in 40 years to run for a second term and lose.
Numerous members of Minneapolis' large expatriate Somali community filled the courtrooom to support Noor.
Judge Quaintance reminded the courtroom, also filled with media members, Noor is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
"If he has a trial it will be in a court of law and not in the media or in the streets," the judge said.
Minneapolis' prosecutor, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, has admitted there is a low success rate in the US of convicting police of shooting members of the public.
He pointed to a study that found of the estimated 12,000 police-involved shootings between 2005 and 2017 just 80 officers were charged with murder or manslaughter and only 35 per cent were convicted.
Noor was required to hand over his passport, firearms, ammunition and not attempt to contact Officer Harrity to make the $US400,000 bail.
He also had the option of $US500,000 without conditions. Noor's next court appearance is scheduled for May 8.
- With AAP
