Sunrise vigil held for Justine Ruszczyk one year after fatal shooting

Family and friends have gathered at a Sydney beach to remember Justine Ruszczyk who was shot dead in a US alley by a Minneapolis police officer a year ago.

Holding pink flowers, dozens of people huddled around a large candlelit heart on the sand at Freshwater Beach, near Manly, at sunrise today to remember the 40-year-old former Sydneysider.

Ms Ruszczyk was shot on the night of July 15 last year after she called 911 to report hearing a woman's screams.

Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor shot her dead when she approached his police car in the alley.

Noor was charged by prosecutors in March with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Ms Ruszczyk’s Sydney-based father, John, spoke briefly on Sunday, saying he was waiting for justice.

"On the way to the beach this morning, the kookaburras were laughing. When we got here we experienced this beautiful sunrise and Justine, because of her senseless killing, will never see the sunrise or hear the kookaburras again," Mr Ruszczyk said.

"Our communities here at Freshwater and Minneapolis are waiting for judgments."

In the United States, Ms Ruszczyk’s fiancé and friends held a similar vigil in Minneapolis.