On April 11, 2021, a 20-year-old African American man, Daunte Wright, was fatally shot by police officer Kimberly Potter during a traffic stop. Officer Potter has worked at the Brooklyn Center Police for 26 years.
This incident happened just miles away from where Derek Chauvin was on trial for the murder of George Floyd, another African American that died at the hands of a policeman.
Wright was pulled over for a traffic violation, but when he tried to get back into his car, there was a struggle, after the officers had attempted to handcuff him on the side of the road.
In the body camera video that was released by Chief Gannon, an officer was heard saying: “Taser, Taser, Taser”, then Wright was seen getting into his car while the same officer says: “Holy s***, I just shot him”.
Wounded by the cop, Wright crashed a few streets away. Chief Gannon shared that officer Potter meant to use a Taser but mistakenly drew her gun instead.
On the Tuesday after the shooting, officer Potter resigned saying, “I have loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability, but I believe it is in the best interest of the community, the department, and my fellow officers if I resign.”
A day after her resignation she was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter. She was released, after posting a $100,000 bond. If she is convicted, she could spend 10 years in prison.
Protesters took to the streets in the days after, and demanded justice. Monday morning, the Brooklyn Center mayor announced a curfew from 1 a.m. until 6 a.m, asking protesters to “Be safe and to go home”.
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