[132][133], Opening statements in the trial began on December 8. At the news conference that also gathered George Floyd's family and other relativesof victims of police violence,Katie Wright spoke in soft tones as she recounted the last time she saw or spoke with her son, whom Garraway and family said was mentored at Thomas Edison High School in Minneapolis by Floyd's girlfriend, Courteney Ross. Wrightloved to goof around, play sports and drive the car he had just been given by a family member, relatives and family friendssaid at a news conference Tuesday. Earlier Monday at a press conference, the Brooklyn Center Police Department released body camera footage of the fatal encounter. Kelly Bryant, Daunte Wright's aunt, has started a GoFundMe page to cover her nephew's funeral costs. Updated Apr 12, 2021 at 10:34pm. [120] People also placed memorials for Wright at the location he was shot and the location where he was pronounced dead. Wright was killed by Officer Kim Potter during a routine traffic stop in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, according . Changes are expected to include training on police intervention, implicit bias, weapons confusion, de-escalation as well as how to handle situations arising during mental health crises, the attorneys explained. "[140], Potter was sentenced to two years in prison, serving sixteen months with eight months of supervised release. [97], Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott said in a tweet the evening of April 11, "The officer shooting in Brooklyn Center today is tragic. Potter fatally shot Wright after initially pulling him over for an expired registration tag on his car. The city of Brooklyn Center, Minn., has agreed to pay a $3.2 million settlement to the family of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic . I can't accept thata mistake, that doesn't even sound right," he added. Taser! Chu also said her revised ruling was unrelated to a November 6 demonstration that occurred outside a house that protesters believed was Chu's. [16][30][59] In order to avoid conflicts of interest, although the incident took place in Hennepin County, it was reviewed by the Washington County Attorney's Office per an agreement with metropolitan counties to handle officer-involved shootings. Shortly after Wrights death, the Brooklyn Center Police Department released video of how the traffic stop unfolded. ", "And to his family and loved ones, you must know that the president and I grieve with you as the nation grieves his loss. [1][14][15][16][17] She had worked for the department since 1995, shortly after finishing Saint Mary's University of Minnesota a year prior in 1994. "He was connected to people, people knowing him and being in that community and of course feeling outraged," she said. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled early Daunte's cause of death was a gunshot wound and is considered a homicide. [31][45][42] Potter was holding her gun for 5.5 seconds before discharging it. [129] On November 9, Chu reversed her earlier ruling to ensure "meaningful access" to the trial, as the courtroom was subject to attendance restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. MORE: Daunte Wright's parents speak out after verdict for former officer Kim Potter. Ex-cop Kim Potter was sentenced to two years in prison Friday for killing 20-year-old Daunte Wright, shooting him when she thought she was firing her Taser. A white police officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb resigned Tuesday, April 13, 2021 as did the city's police chief moves that the mayor said he hoped would help heal the community and lead to reconciliation after two nights of . He had a smile that was angelic. Another Black man has died at the hands of police. Wright's death sparked protests and tributes from across the country, including from people onsocial media. "And we will continue to work with all fair-minded Americans to confront historical inequities and bring about nationwide changes that are so long overdue.". [48], Attorneys gave closing arguments on December 20 and the jury, which was ordered to be sequestered, began deliberations by midday. Also under the settlement, a permanent memorial for Wright will be built at the existing Daunte Wright Memorial, according to the legal team. Wright family attorneys Benjamin Crump and . Then he was killed by police. Daunte Wright's mother, Katie Wright, was among the people who spoke during Tuesday's press conference after the resignations of Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter and police chief Tim . [78] Governor Tim Walz implemented another curfew in several counties spanning the night of April 12 through the morning of April 13 and deployed the Minnesota National Guard while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declared a state of emergency and a citywide curfew. But he was so much more, his mother stressed. "[104] Vice President Kamala Harris said "Daunte's family needs answers" on Twitter. Daunte Wright's family mourns a young man killed by police. . [14][15] Potter, a field training officer, was training a new officer at the time of the incident. [30], Wright's mother talked about seeing her son's body over FaceTime at a press conference on April 13. He loved his family and his baby boy. "And then I heard scuffling and the girl that was with him screaming, and I heard an officer ask for them to hang up the phone and then I didn't hear anything else. The settlement in Wrights case also calls for training related to traffic stops for equipment violations that do not interfere with the safety of the driver, passenger or members of the community, according to familys attorneys. National Guard troops were already deployed in Minneapolis for the ongoing murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the May 2020 death of Floyd, which ignited protests nationwide and abroad. [148], Wright's death was one of several instances in which a police officer admitted to firing a handgun when intending to draw and discharge a Taser, such as a 2002 shooting in Rochester, Minnesota,[149] the fatal 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant by a Bay Area Rapid Transit officer in Oakland, California, and the deadly 2015 shooting of Eric Harris by a volunteer reserve deputy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. [162], Footage from Kimberly Potter's body camera of her holding a firearm during the arrest of Daunte Wright, April 11, 2021, Location of the incident in Brooklyn Center, Raw footage of the shooting from Potter's body camera, spread to cities across the United States, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, List of killings by law enforcement officers in Minnesota, "Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Daunte Wright Was Training Others", "BCA Identifies Officer in Brooklyn Center Shooting Incident", "Daunte Wright: Doting dad, ballplayer, slain by police", "Officer Who Fatally Shot Daunte Wright With 'Accidental Discharge' Is Identified", "Daunte Wright's death proves a more interracial America can't protect us", "Driving While Black is still a death sentence", "Daunte Wright's family gathers in Minneapolis for funeral: Recap", "Let's have a cringey talk about multiracial identity, from "Ginny & Georgia" to Harry and Meghan", Minnesota police officer who shot Daunte Wright apparently meant to use Taser but fired gun, police chief says, "Daunte Wright called his mother right before he was shot. "She pointed the phone toward the driver's seat, and my son was laying there, unresponsive. The city agreed to pay $3.25 million to Wright's family, the third largest civil rights wrongful death settlement in Minnesota, and the largest outside of Minneapolis. And the loss of our co-worker Kimberly Potter is also terrible for what she's going through as well. ", The parents said they want to see "justice served" and the officer who shot their son "held accountable for everything that she's taken from us." Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a police officer on April 11. ", I miss him so much already, and it's onlybeen a day, Katie Wright said at Monday's vigil. "This officer has been on the force for 26 years. "I heard scuffling . Wright Family Wright's aunt, Nyesha Wright, told reporters Tuesday that she hopes officials hold Potter "at the highest extent of the law." At the request of Potter's attorneys, Chu ruled on August 5 that cameras would not to be permitted in the courtroom. The officer -- identified by authorities as Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center Police Department -- intended to deploy her Taser instead of her gun when she "accidentally" shot Daunte Wright, Gannon said. She said he told her that police had pulled him over due to air fresheners hanging in his rear view mirror. Jurors on Thursday convicted Potter of two manslaughter charges in the killing of Daunte Wright, a Black motorist she shot during a traffic stop after she said she confused her gun for her Taser. When the people did not disperse, police fired tear gas, flashbangs, and rubber bullets. Wright, 20, was pulled over April 11, 2021, by former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter for an expired tag and illegal air freshener, authorities have said. A person raises their fist during a funeral held for Daunte Wright at Shiloh . [16][32] She grabbed a piece of paper from the trainee with her right hand, then moved it to her left hand. $303,114 of the programs' budget came from eliminating three police officer positions. Hundreds have attended the funeral of Daunte Wright including George Floyd's family. [10][11][12][13], At the time of the shooting, Kimberly Ann Potter, a White woman from Champlin, Minnesota (born June 18, 1972), was a 48-year-old police officer in the Brooklyn Center Police Department, and a mother of two sons. [31], After her indictment, Potter was arrested, booked into a Hennepin County jail and released a few hours later after posting a $100,000 bail bond. Katie Bryant, Daunte Wright's mom, looks at the crowd gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Minneapolis, after jurors found former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter guilty of first degree and second degree manslaughter in the death of motorist Daunte Wright. Demonstrations took place over several days, and spread to cities across the United States. Naisha Wright called her nephew's death "murder" and demanded that the officer be held to the "highest" standard in the law. People involved Daunte Wright. [58] He said Potter intended to use a Taser on Wright, but pulled out and discharged her gun instead. The family and their lawyers have set up a GoFundMe page to pay for Wright's funeral and burial expenses, as well as support to Daunte's son, Daunte Wright, Jr., 2, "and to help the Wright . murder trial of former officer Derek Chauvin is underway, struggled with a learning disability and dropped out of high school about two years ago, As Daunte Wright's family grieves, police chief and officer resign in Brooklyn Center shooting, GoFundMe page for a memorial fund for Wright, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Appearing on Good Morning America alongside her husband, Daunte's father Aubrey, Katie was asked to walk viewers through what happened on Sunday. [76] The City of Brooklyn Center settled the lawsuit on June 21, 2022. "[98], Minnesota Lt. Janet Rupert, who works the night shift in a local intensive care unit. [6][7][8][9] Wright played basketball in high school, but according to his father, he dropped out due to a learning disability about two years before the shooting. Potter can be heard repeatedly yelling, Taser before she shot Wright with her handgun. ", "Peaceful protests, understandable, and the fact is that, you know, we do know that the anger pain and trauma that exists in the Back community, and that environment is real, it's serious, and it's consequential," Biden told reporters. Holy sh*t! [16][27] The trainee officer approached the driver's side door and the supervisor approached the passenger's side door. "[98], 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. Wrights shooting happened amid the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder in the May 2020 killing of George Floyd. [60] In media interviews, Wright's family thanked people for protesting and advocating for justice and encouraged people to protest peacefully. ", President Joe Biden on Monday also called for "peace" and "calm. The car sped off, traveling several blocks before crashing into another vehicle. Daunte Wright and an accomplice allegedly carjacked 20-year-old Joshua Hodges on March 21. Helit up the room,and I just need everyone to know that he was my life, he was my sonand I can never get that back.". "We liked to shoot Roman candles at each other. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump -- who has represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and more -- is one of the lawyers representing the Wright family and said that fatal encounters between police and people of color will only stop "when we start treating each other all the same. [68][35][31] The criminal complaint against Potter stated that she caused Wright's death "by her culpable negligence," whereby she "created an unreasonable risk and consciously took a chance of causing death or great bodily harm" to Wright. She had no idea it would be the last time she would speak with her son. Topline. Potter said she meant to use her service Taser, shouting "Taser! I never imagined this is what was going to happen. The passengers in the other vehicle were not injured, according to Gannon. [24][25][21][26], After pulling the vehicle over, the trainee officer approached Wright's vehicle. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Wright also made many friends in his young life, mostly a younger crowd something that was made clear at the vigils and protests by the ages of those who attended, said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a former head of the NAACP in Minneapolis. [121], Wright's funeral was held in Minneapolis on April 22, 2021. [139] She continued, "I'll never be able to forgive you for what you've stolen from us. "[152] Though that officer was charged, a judge dismissed the charges. [24] The trainee officer on the driver's side attempted to prevent Wright from obtaining control of the steering wheel. 2. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the shooting. [72], Attorney General Ellison's office took over the prosecution on May 21. Daunte Wright's wake draws family, community and activists . That never happened. (AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa). . [29] Potter then discharged her firearm, instead of her Taser, a single time using her right hand, and subsequently said, "Oh shit, I just shot him. Wright's family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the City of Brooklyn Center on June 21, 2022, for $3.25 million. "It's about giving the same respect and consideration to people of color that we give to white American citizens. Ryan Miller is a News NOW Reporter at USA TODAY, Daunte Wright: Mother speaks out at vigil, while protests continue. appreciated. She said she had overheard what sounded like a scuffle and an officer saying, "Daunte, don't run" before the phone hung up, and that her son said he had been pulled over for having an air freshener hanging from his rear-view mirror. And for that I'll never be able to forgive you," addressing Potter. That pain is shared by the community and all those involved in the incident. [62][100], City manager Curt Boganey, speaking at an April 12 press conference of Brooklyn Center officials, said, "All employees working for the city of Brooklyn Center are entitled to due process with respect to discipline. ", "The fact that this could happen even as the city of Minneapolis is going through the trial of Derek Chauvin and reliving the heart-wrenching murder of George Floyd indicates not just how important it is to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but also just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country," the Obamas said. [21] Wright, who was unarmed, began to resist arrest, struggled with the officers, broke free, and stepped back into his car. [29] The officers decided to arrest Wright and ensure the passenger was not the same woman who had the protective order against him. 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. [158], Several other policing changes were made outside of the U.S. state of Minnesota in response to Wright's death. Officer Kim Potter Released From Jail Hours After Arrest For Manslaughter Charges", "Officer Who Killed Daunte Wright Makes 1st Court Appearance In Manslaughter Case", "Here's what we know about Kim Potter, the officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright", "AG Ellison's office to lead prosecution of officer charged in Daunte Wright's death", "Prosecutor on Wright's death case resigns, citing 'vitriol', "Former Kim Potter prosecutor resigns his post, citing 'partisan politics', "State adds 1st-degree manslaughter charge against former officer Kim Potter", "Protesters demand justice over police shooting of 20-year-old Black man in Minneapolis suburbs", "Protests Grow In Minnesota And Around U.S. Over Death of Daunte Wright", "Hundreds ignore curfew to protest Daunte Wright shooting outside Brooklyn Center P.D. Daunte Wright's parents have spoken out about their son's death, saying that they "can't accept" that his killing was "a mistake". This settlement will not be finalized until agreement is also reached on substantial and meaningful non-monetary relief, the attorneys wrote in the news release. Wright then allegedly drove away in the victim's Honda Civic, while his accomplice fled in another vehicle. ", "How a veteran officer could have mistaken a Glock for a Taser in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright", "Kimberly Potter trial: Emotions high as video of Wright killing plays in court", "Minn. police officer who shot Daunte Wright apparently meant to use Taser but accidentally fired gun, police chief says", "Kimberly Potter defense rests; closing arguments set for Monday", "One dead in police shooting in Brooklyn Center; tear gas deployed to clear protesters", "Protesters Clash With Police In Brooklyn Center After Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting", "Second night of demonstrations follow Daunte Wright shooting, Brooklyn Center officer identified", "Daunte Wright: Who was the 20-year-old Black man shot dead by police in Minneapolis suburb? [13] To pursue a longer sentence than what is typical requires the prosecution to demonstrate Blakely factors, or elements of a crime which make it particularly egregious. View 95 comments. [142] Despite initially arguing that the case had such factors which would justify a longer sentence, the prosecution stated in court on the day of the sentencing that the typical sentence would be appropriate. One of them was a trainee working with Potter who also participated in the attempted arrest. ", "I lost my son, he's never coming back," Daunte Wright's father, Aubrey Wright, told ABC News' Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview Tuesday on "Good Morning America. Family and friends, foreground, of Daunte Wright, 20, mourn Sunday, April 11, 2021, in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Wright, who grew up in the Minneapolis area, was an adoring father with siblings and parents he loved, according to his mother, Katie Wright. [22] The trainee officer returned to his squad car. dayslong protests erupted in Brooklyn Center. 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