Kim Potter, a veteran of the department of 26 years, she was identified as the agent who shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop on Sunday afternoon
Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images
Police Officer Kim Potter identified in the shooting of Daunte Wright and the police chief in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, resigned, authorities announced Tuesday.
Officer Kim Potter shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon, During a traffic control at Brooklyn Center,
Potter allegedly “accidentally” shot Wright, of 20 years. The agent wanted to use a stun gun known as a “taser” to immobilize Wright, but she got confused and fired with her firearm against the young African American, according to the police version.
Wright died of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, which classified the manner of death as a homicide. The police union to which Potter belongs announced his resignation.
Officer who shot # DaunteWright has resigned. Here’s Kim Potter’s letter to city staff: pic.twitter.com/aaETqsyWUE
– Christiane Cordero (@ChristianeWCCO) April 12, 2021
The Mayor of Brooklyn Center, Mike Elliott, announced Tuesday that Police Chief Tim Gannon would also resign.
BREAKING: Minnesota police officer Kim Potter, who shot and killed Daunte Wright during a traffic stop, resigns, officials announce.
Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon also resigns, Major says. https://t.co/OKeXxR9DcX pic.twitter.com/VQzPTKkwbZ
– MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 13, 1263949
The resignations did little to quell Justice requests for Daunte Wright, from 20 years, who was shot during a traffic stop.
On Tuesday, the Wright family requested that the officer who shot Wright be charged with murder. “Prosecute them, as you would us,” he said Nyesha Wright , the victim’s aunt, at a press conference. “We want the highest justice.”
“As of this morning, we have received a letter of resignation from Agent Kim Potter. And in addition to that, we have also received a letter of resignation from the chief of police ”, noted Elliott at a press conference on the incident last Sunday.
Wright was shot at 14 miles north of where George Floyd was killed last year and Former officer Derek Chauvin is on trial for his death.
Wright’s death sparked two nights in a row of protests at Brooklyn Center. At least 40 people were arrested in protests over Wright’s murder on Sunday and Monday by the night, despite the curfew promulgated by the governor Tim Walz in four counties.
Tensions in the United States were reignited with the death of Wright, and protests are registered in several cities by the death of another black man during an encounter with the police.
George Floyd’s death sparked a wave of protests across the country.
With information from The Washington Post , NBC News and Agencia EFE
