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Coordinates: 45°04′10″N 93°20′28″W / 45.0694°N 93.3411°W / 45.0694; -93.3411
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== Participants ==
== Participants ==


Daunte Wright was a 20-year-old Black man. On April 2, 2021, the Hennepin County District Court issued a warrant for Wright's arrest for a [[gross misdemeanor]] offense of carrying a weapon without a permit<ref>{{cite news|date=April 12, 2021|title=Daunte Wright death in Minnesota traffic stop sparks unrest|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/daunte-wright-minnesota-police-shooting-1ad1b12b77f35f9fa01e680b73add7d5}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{Cite news|last=Bogel-Burroughs|first=Nicholas|last2=Paybarah|first2=Azi|date=April 12, 2021|title=Protesters Clash With Police After Minnesota Officer Shoots Black Man|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/us/brooklyn-center-minnesota-police-shooting.html|access-date=April 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a misdemeanor for fleeing police.<ref name="one" /> Wright had failed to appear at a March 2021 hearing.<ref name="one" />
Daunte Wright was a 20-year-old White man. On April 2, 2021, the Hennepin County District Court issued a warrant for Wright's arrest for a [[gross misdemeanor]] offense of carrying a weapon without a permit<ref>{{cite news|date=April 12, 2021|title=Daunte Wright death in Minnesota traffic stop sparks unrest|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/daunte-wright-minnesota-police-shooting-1ad1b12b77f35f9fa01e680b73add7d5}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{Cite news|last=Bogel-Burroughs|first=Nicholas|last2=Paybarah|first2=Azi|date=April 12, 2021|title=Protesters Clash With Police After Minnesota Officer Shoots Black Man|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/us/brooklyn-center-minnesota-police-shooting.html|access-date=April 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a misdemeanor for fleeing police.<ref name="one" /> Wright had failed to appear at a March 2021 hearing.<ref name="one" />


Wright was shot by Kimberly Potter, 48 years old and a police officer for 26 years since her police licensure in 1995 at age 22.<ref name="Walsh & Sawyer, Star Tribune 2021.04.12 re Kimberly Potter" /><ref name="one" /> Potter was training another officer at the time of the incident.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Rosa |last2=Winsor |first2=Morgan |last3=Alfonseca |first3=Kiara |last4=Pereira |first4=Ivan |title=Officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright during traffic stop meant to use Taser, police chief says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/minnesota-police-officer-fatally-shoots-driver-traffic-stop/story?id=77013068 |access-date=13 April 2021 |work=[[ABC News]] |date=13 April 2021}}</ref>
Wright was shot by Kimberly Potter, 48 years old and a police officer for 26 years since her police licensure in 1995 at age 22.<ref name="Walsh & Sawyer, Star Tribune 2021.04.12 re Kimberly Potter" /><ref name="one" /> Potter was training another officer at the time of the incident.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Rosa |last2=Winsor |first2=Morgan |last3=Alfonseca |first3=Kiara |last4=Pereira |first4=Ivan |title=Officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright during traffic stop meant to use Taser, police chief says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/minnesota-police-officer-fatally-shoots-driver-traffic-stop/story?id=77013068 |access-date=13 April 2021 |work=[[ABC News]] |date=13 April 2021}}</ref>

Revision as of 19:28, 13 April 2021

Killing of Daunte Wright
Part of the 2020–2021 Minneapolis–Saint Paul racial justice protests and 2020–2021 United States racial unrest
Location of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
DateApril 11, 2021 (2021-04-11)
Time2:00 p.m. (CST)
LocationBrooklyn Center, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates45°04′10″N 93°20′28″W / 45.0694°N 93.3411°W / 45.0694; -93.3411
TypeShooting
ParticipantsKim Potter
DeathsDaunte Wright
Shooting under investigation[1]

On April 11, 2021, Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old African-American man, was fatally shot by Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop.[1][2][3]

According to Brooklyn Center police, Potter shot him accidentally; she allegedly intended to use her taser but discharged her firearm instead, striking Wright with one shot. After being shot, Wright drove several blocks before crashing his vehicle into another and hitting a cement barrier. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A medical examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide.

The shooting sparked protests and demonstrations in Brooklyn Center, leading to a citywide curfew on April 11. Demonstrations have also occurred in Minneapolis-St. Paul and in cities across the United States. Two days after the shooting, Potter and Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon resigned from their positions.[4]

Participants

Daunte Wright was a 20-year-old White man. On April 2, 2021, the Hennepin County District Court issued a warrant for Wright's arrest for a gross misdemeanor offense of carrying a weapon without a permit[5][6] and a misdemeanor for fleeing police.[7] Wright had failed to appear at a March 2021 hearing.[7]

Wright was shot by Kimberly Potter, 48 years old and a police officer for 26 years since her police licensure in 1995 at age 22.[3][7] Potter was training another officer at the time of the incident.[8]

Incident

Traffic stop

At around 2:00 p.m. local time on April 11, 2021, Brooklyn Center police pulled over Daunte Wright for a traffic violation[9] as the vehicle's registration tag had expired.[1] Officers ran Wright's name through a police database, determined that he had an outstanding warrant, and tried to arrest him.[10]

External videos
video icon Raw footage of the shooting from Potter's body camera on YouTube (56 s)

A police body camera showed three officers approaching a white Buick LaCrosse. An officer on the driver's side opened a door and Wright stepped out of the car. Wright had his hands behind his back as an officer attempted to put on handcuffs. An officer later identified as Potter approached Wright and the other officer.[7] A struggle ensued and Wright re-entered his vehicle. Potter said, "I'll tase you", and then yelled, "Taser! Taser! Taser!"[1][11][12] Potter discharged her lethal firearm instead, and then said, "Oh shit, I just shot him!"[10][12][13][14] Potter was holding the firearm for at least seven seconds before discharging it.[15]

Wright drove away in his vehicle, making it a few blocks away before colliding with another vehicle.[16] Officers administered CPR, but Wright was subsequently declared dead at the scene.[17] A female passenger in the vehicle, Wright's girlfriend, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries,[18] and no one in the other vehicle was injured.[19]

Phone call

Wright's mother spoke with reporters and said her son had phoned her during the traffic stop. She said she had overheard what sounded like a scuffle and an officer saying, "Daunte, don't run" before the phone hung up[10] and that her son had been pulled over for having an air freshener hanging from his rear-view mirror.[10]

Investigation

Officer conduct review

In a press conference the morning of April 12, the Brooklyn Center police said a female officer intended to use a taser on Wright, but pulled out her gun instead.[20] The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched an investigation of the shooting per standard process in the state.[7][10] Though the incident occurred in Hennepin County, the officer's conduct is under review by Washington County, per an agreement with other metropolitan counties to handle officer-involved shootings in such a way as to avoid a perceived conflict of interest.[7] Potter, the officer who shot Wright, was placed on administrative leave by the Brooklyn Center police pending further investigation.[7] Subsequently, Potter and Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon both submitted their resignations from the department[21].

Autopsy

The Hennepin County medical examiner's report released on April 12 determined the manner of death to be homicide,[22] concluding that Wright had "died of a gunshot wound of the chest".[23]

Reactions

Protests and unrest

Further information: 2020–2021 Minneapolis–Saint Paul racial justice protests § Daunte Wright protests and unrest, April 11–ongoing; and Daunte Wright riots
Protesters gather near the location in Brooklyn Center where Wright died, around 7:00 p.m. on April 11, 2021

Following the shooting, mourners and protesters gathered near the scene to demand justice for Wright.[24] Several protesters came from another rally organized by families of people who had been killed by police that occurred earlier in the day in nearby Saint Paul, Minnesota.[25] Police with riot control equipment attempted to restrain the crowd of several hundred people outside of a police precinct.[17] Some in the crowd became unruly, hurling projectiles such as rocks at officers. There was also looting, as more than 20 businesses were damaged in the riot, and police vehicles were vandalized.[17]

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott issued a city-wide curfew until 6:00 a.m. the following morning and local schools were closed out of "an abundance of caution", according to Brooklyn Center Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Carly Baker,[26] with students instead attending virtually.[27] The National Guard was activated to assist with dispelling the violence.[28]

His mother, Katie Wright, pleaded for peace saying, "All the violence, if it keeps going it's only going to be about the violence. We need it to be about why my son got shot for no reason...We need to make sure it's about him and not about smashing police cars, because that's not going to bring my son back."[29]

On April 12, in reaction to the unrest, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz enacted a 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew throughout much of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region: in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, and Dakota counties.[30]

Although earlier in the day the Minnesota Twins had issued a statement postponing their Target Field home game, after the announcement of the curfew, the Wild postponed their home game in the St. Paul Xcel Energy Center and the Timberwolves postponed their game in the Minneapolis Target Center. [31]

On April 13th, in an interview with ABC News anchor Robin Roberts, both Daunte's parents (Katie and Aubrey Wright, Dwane's father) thanked people for protesting, and advocated again for people to continue doing so peacefully.[32]

Public officials

Brooklyn Center police station, April 12, 2021

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott said in a tweet the evening of April 11, "The officer shooting in Brooklyn Center today is tragic. We are asking the protesters to continue to be peaceful and that peaceful protesters are not dealt with with force."[33]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said in a tweet at 10:00 p.m. on April 11, "I am closely monitoring the situation in Brooklyn Center. Gwen and I are praying for Daunte Wright’s family as our state mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement."[33]

Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota said on the morning of April 12, "A difficult night in Minnesota. We mourn with Daunte Wright's family as another Black man's life is lost at the hands of law enforcement."[33]

Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon said at an April 12 press conference, "I have watched the video myself, and there is nothing I can say to lessen the pain of Mr. Wright's family, friends loved ones of that feeling of loss they must have. That pain is shared by the community and all those involved in the incident." On April 13, Gannon announced his resignation, alongside that of Potter.[4][34]

City manager Curt Brogan, speaking at a BCPD press conference: "All employees working for the city of Brooklyn Center are entitled to due process with respect to discipline."[35] The same day, the Brooklyn Center City Council gave Mayor Elliott command authority over the city police force and the city manager was relieved of his duties.[36]

President Joe Biden said about the incident and unrest, "Peaceful protest is understandable. And the fact is that we do know that the anger, pain and trauma that exists in Black community in that environment is real – it's serious, and it's consequential. But that does not justify violence. We should listen to Daunte's mom who is calling for peace and calm."[37] Vice President Kamala Harris said "Daunte's family...needs answers" on Twitter.[22]

Celebrities and public figures

The NAACP released a statement saying "Whether it be carelessness and negligence, or a blatant modern-day lynching, the result is the same. Another Black man has died at the hands of police."[38]

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis offered prayers and condolences to all parties concerned, adding: "While early indications point towards the shooting being accidental, I encourage allowing investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to complete a thorough investigation before coming to any personal judgments as to what occurred."[39]

Al Sharpton said: "You can die for having expired tags or for a phony 20 dollar bill or you may have not even known was a phony 20 dollar bill. It wouldn't happen in any other community."[40]

The Minnesota Vikings released a statement which said in part: "This avoidable situation is yet another tragic reminder of the drastic need for change in law enforcement."[41]

Other celebrities speaking out included Kerry Washington, Trevor Noah, George Takei, Ray Fisher, Kathy Griffin, Common, and Doc Rivers.[42][43]

Current and former NFL players including Doug Baldwin, Jr., Torrey Smith, Emmanuel Acho and Marcus Lattimore also made statements.[44]

On April 12, 2021, Wright's family hired attorney Ben Crump.[45]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Killing of Daunte Wright.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Klecker, Mara; Hyatt, Kim; Sawyer, Liz; Mannix, Andy (12 April 2021). "Brooklyn Center police fatally shoot man, 20, inflaming tensions during the Derek Chauvin trial". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Brooklyn Center police body camera footage captures fatal shooting of Daunte Wright". KARE-TV. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Tenga. NBC. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via YouTube. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 12 April 2021 suggested (help)
  3. ^ a b Walsh, Paul; Sawyer, Liz (12 April 2021). "Officer who fatally shot man in Brooklyn Center is identified as 26-year veteran". Star Tribune. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b Shapiro, Emily (13 April 2021). "Officer who shot, killed Daunte Wright and Brooklyn Center police chief both resign". ABC News. abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Daunte Wright death in Minnesota traffic stop sparks unrest". Associated Press. April 12, 2021.
  6. ^ Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas; Paybarah, Azi (April 12, 2021). "Protesters Clash With Police After Minnesota Officer Shoots Black Man". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference one was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Sanchez, Rosa; Winsor, Morgan; Alfonseca, Kiara; Pereira, Ivan (13 April 2021). "Officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright during traffic stop meant to use Taser, police chief says". ABC News. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Minnesota police shooting of Daunte Wright sparks protests". NBC News. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e Allen, Nicholas Pfosi, Jonathan (April 12, 2021). "Protests erupt after police shoot Black man in Minneapolis traffic stop". Reuters. Retrieved April 12, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Allen, Keith; Broaddus, Adrienne; Silverman, Hollie; Sutton, Joe (April 12, 2021). "Minnesota officer shouted 'Taser!' but fired a gun instead, fatally shooting a man at a traffic stop, police say". CNN.
  12. ^ a b "Horrifying video shows police officer who killed Daunte Wright thought she was using her Taser". Daily Kos. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  13. ^ Hart, Benjamin (2021-04-12). "Police Release Bodycam Video of Daunte Wright Shooting". Intelligencer. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  14. ^ "The Cop Who Killed Daunte Wright Meant To Tase Him But Accidentally Fired Her Gun, Police Said". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  15. ^ Bellware, Kim (2021-04-12). "Minn. police officer who shot Daunte Wright apparently meant to use Taser but accidentally fired gun, police chief says". Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  16. ^ Police killing of Daunte Wright in Minnesota sparks protests - CNN Video, retrieved April 12, 2021
  17. ^ a b c "One dead in police shooting in Brooklyn Center; tear gas deployed to clear protesters". MPR News. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  18. ^ Ferkenhoff, Ryan W. Miller, Elinor Aspegren and Eric. "Protests erupt after death of Daunte Wright, 20-year-old Black man shot by police during traffic stop: What we know". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 12, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ "Protests erupt in Minneapolis suburb after deadly officer-involved shooting". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  20. ^ Staff (2021-04-12). "Brooklyn Center chief: Cop meant to use stun gun on Wright, pulled the wrong weapon". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  21. ^ "Officer who shot, killed Daunte Wright and Brooklyn Center police chief both resign". ABC News. 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  22. ^ a b Newland, Elinor Aspegren and Erik. "Daunte Wright shooting: Protesters clash with police after curfew in Minnesota; Vice President Harris calls for 'justice and healing'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  23. ^ The New York Times (April 12, 2021). "What to Know About the Police Shooting of Daunte Wright". The New York Times. Retrieved April 13, 2021. The Hennepin County medical examiner concluded Monday that Mr. Wright 'died of a gunshot wound of the chest and manner of death is homicide.'
  24. ^ "Protesters demand justice over police shooting of 20-year-old Black man in Minneapolis suburbs". The Independent. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ Dugan, Kelli; Dreier, Natalie; Desk, Cox Media Group National Content. "Fatal shooting of Black man during traffic stop sparks protests near Minneapolis". FOX23 News. Retrieved April 12, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last3= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ CNN, Keith Allen, Adrienne Broaddus, Hollie Silverman and Joe Sutton. "Minnesota National Guard deployed after protests over the police killing of a man during a traffic stop". CNN. Retrieved April 12, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Wallace, Danielle (April 12, 2021). "Looting in Minneapolis, National Guard activated after police shooting of Daunte Wright". Fox News. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  29. ^ "'I Just Want My Baby Home': Mother Of Daunte Wright Speaks Out Following Brooklyn Center Police Shooting". WCCO-TV. April 12, 2021.
  30. ^ MPR News Staff (April 12, 2021). "Brooklyn Center chief: Cop meant to use Taser on Wright; Walz orders wide curfew". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  31. ^ "Twins, Timberwolves, Wild reschedule games after Daunte Wright shooting". The Athletic. San Francisco, California: The Athletic Media Company. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  32. ^ Winsor, Morgan; Shapiro, Emily (13 April 2021). "Daunte Wright's parents speak out after shooting in ABC News exclusive: 'He's never coming back'" (video). News. ABC News. New York, New York: Walt Disney Corporation. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  33. ^ a b c "Protesters Clash With Police In Brooklyn Center After Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting". April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  34. ^ "Daunte Wright shooting: Police chief resigns over black motorist's death". BBC News. 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  35. ^ Thebault, Reis. "Brooklyn Center fires city manager, gives mayor control of the police department following fatal shooting". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  36. ^ KARE staff (12 April 2021). "Live updates: Curfew begins in Twin Cities after Daunte Wright shooting, some demonstrators remain". KARE-TV. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  37. ^ Collins, Michael. "Biden calls for 'peace and calm' after Daunte Wright shooting sparks protests in Minnesota". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  38. ^ "NAACP | NAACP President's Statement on Reckless Killing of Daunte Wright". NAACP. 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  39. ^ "Statement Regarding the Death of Daunte Wright". Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  40. ^ "Rev. Al Sharpton on the police killing of Daunte Wright: 'You can die for having expired tags'". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  41. ^ Ragatz, Will (12 April 2021). "Vikings Release Statement on the Killing of Daunte Wright by Brooklyn Center Police". Inside the Vikings. Fan Nation. New York, New York: Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  42. ^ Trepany, Charles. "Daunte Wright 'should still be alive': Kerry Washington, Trevor Noah speak out". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  43. ^ Franklin, Chris (2021-04-12). "Sixers' Doc Rivers speaks out about Daunte Wright shooting | 'We're canceling Black lives'". NJ.com. Retrieved 2021-04-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ Edholm, Erik (2021-04-12). "NFL players react to Minnesota police shooting of Daunte Wright". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-04-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  45. ^ Judd, Jake (April 12, 2021). "Family of Man Shot Hires Famous Civil Rights Attorney". KNSI.
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