Update as of April 15
3 pm PST
Potter appeared remotely in Hennepin County court for the first time since the fatal shooting of Wright, with her attorney, Earl Gray. She will appear in court again on May 17.
Potter’s next court appearance will be on May 17
Update as of April 14
Potter was released today a few hours later after posting a $100,000 bond.
10:25 am PST
Ex-officer Kim Potter has been arrested and is expected to be charged with second-degree manslaughter.
According to the Associated Press, this charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
After consultation with the Washington County Attorney’s Office, Potter will be booked into the Hennepin County Jail on probable cause 2nd Degree Manslaughter. The Washington County Attorney’s Office will file charges later today.
— Minnesota BCA (@MnDPS_BCA) April 14, 2021
Update as of April 13
11:30 am PST
Kim Porter, the officer who killed Wright, resigned this morning.
“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 immediately,” Porter said in her resignation letter.
Furthermore, Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon has also submitted a letter of resignation.
Mayor Elliot has also asked for the case to be reassigned.
To ensure transparency and to continue building trust in our community, I’m asking the Governor @GovTimWalz to reassign Daunte’s case to the office of the attorney general @AGEllison.
— Mayor Mike Elliott (@mayor_elliott) April 13, 2021
10:45 am PST
Daunte Wright’s parents, Aubrey and Katie, spoke today on Good Morning America following the tragic death of their son.
In emotional interview, the parents of Daunte Wright tell @ABC News they "cannot accept" the notion that their son's killing was "a mistake."
"I lost my son. He's never coming back…a mistake? That doesn't even sound right."
Read more: https://t.co/X06mwQ4xnH pic.twitter.com/fDfi5jkChN
— ABC News (@ABC) April 13, 2021
Update as of April 12
7:15 pm PST
Officer Kim Potter has been identified as the one who pulled the trigger on Wright. Potter has been in the department for the past 26 years.
For the second straight night, a crowd has gathered outside of Brooklyn Center to protest. There has been some arrest tonight outside the headquarters of the department.
Law enforcement are continuing to make arrests at the Brooklyn Center Police Department and along Humboldt Avenue. Curfew violation is a misdemeanor. Please go home. #MNOSN #OperationSafetyNet pic.twitter.com/5SSDsG879l
— Minnesota OSN (@MinnesotaOSN) April 13, 2021
12 pm PST
The MLB has postponed the Minnesota Twins- Boston Red Sox game that was supposed to take place today. furthermore, NBA insider also stated the Minnesota Timberwolves- Brooklyn Nets game tonight might also be postponed.
ESPN reporting w/ @Malika_Andrews: In aftermath of a police shooting that’s caused unrest in Minneapolis, conversations are ongoing about the possible postponement of the Nets-Timberwolves game tonight. The Twins-Red Sox game has been postponed. Decision expected this afternoon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 12, 2021
Today's Red Sox-Twins game in Minneapolis has been postponed following the police killing on Sunday of Daunte Wright in MN, where protesters are calling for justice pic.twitter.com/phplThf7bX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2021
10:30 am PST
Unrest in the city has continued to escalate in the wake of Wright’s death.
The Brooklyn Center Police Department held a press conference today. During the presser, Police Chief Tim Gannon disclosed the female officer who killed Wright “accidentally discharged” her weapon instead of her Taser.
“However, the officer drew their handgun instead of their Taser,” Gannon stated. “It is my belief that the officer had the intention to deploy their Taser, but instead shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet. This appears to me, from what I viewed and the officer’s reaction and distress immediately after, that this was an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wright.”
BREAKING: Police officer who fired a single shot that killed Daunte Wright, a Black man, intended to discharge a Taser, Minnesota police chief says. https://t.co/vz3NqCCNwE
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 12, 2021
The unnamed officer has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.
Initial story
Brooklyn Center, MN — A traffic stop on Sunday turned fatal as an officer shot 20-year old Daunte Wright. The incident took place just outside of Minneapolis.
BCA agents and crime scene personnel are en route to an officer involved shooting incident in Brooklyn Center. More information to come.
— Minnesota BCA (@MnDPS_BCA) April 11, 2021
A local news anchor reported Wright was being pulled over for the air freshener hanging on the mirror in his car.
The mother of Daunte Wright says the 20-year-old called her when he was pulled over by Brooklyn Center police about 1:40 p.m.
He told her police pulled him over for air fresheners hanging in the mirror, she told reporters.
— Chris Hrapsky (@ChrisHrapsky) April 12, 2021
According to a report, officers were executing a traffic stop and then learned Wright, the driver, had an outstanding warrant. The same report stated officers were attempting to arrest Wright who then re-entered his car before a cop shot him.
The officer involved has not been named, but the police department did state they believe the dash camera and body cameras on the officers were working.
Wright’s car reportedly traveled “several blocks” after he was shot before his car struck another. Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. There was a female passenger, his girlfriend, in the car as well who did not suffer any life-threatening injuries from the crash.
Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, shared with local news the phone conversation she had with her son moments before he was shot.
Katie Wright, mother of Daunte Wright, 20, describes the phone call with her son as he was pulled over. @kare11 pic.twitter.com/3lz5jncTuc
— Chris Hrapsky (@ChrisHrapsky) April 12, 2021
Once news spread of Wright — an unarmed Black man — being killed by a police officer, protesters gathered outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department. After hundreds of individuals gathered and chanted “say his name Daunte Wright” officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Minnesota’s governor has been made aware of the shooting.
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.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) April 12, 2021
Minneapolis is also where ex-cop Derek Chauvin is on trial for the murder of George Floyd last May.
Despite the local police department dispersing the crowd, the National guard is now patrolling the area.
?#BREAKING : The National Guard is on the ground in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
?#MN I #Minnesota
The National Guard is on the ground As things Remain Very Intense With Protesters and MPD with the Killing of the 20 year old #DaunteWright that was killed today #Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/n2BSfvCKzD
— R A W S ? L E R T S (@Rawsalerts) April 12, 2021
More details to come as the story develops.
