A Look At The “Accidental” Shooting of Daunte Wright

On Sunday April 11 Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop.

On Sunday afternoon officers pulled over Mr. Wright for a traffic violation. Soon they discovered that there was a warrant out for his arrest. During the brief struggle as they tried to detain him, the body came footage shows one officer pulling and pointing an item. This item the officer claims was believed to be a “taser.” In fact, it was a handgun.

After being struck, the car drove off towards several blocks until striking another vehicle. Daunte Wright was pronounced dead at the scene.

There are court records indicated the reason why Mr. Wright had a warrant. A judge placed this warrant based on missed court appearances and carrying a pistol without a permit after running away from the police last June.

The officer who shot Daunte Wright is Kim Potter. A 26-year old veteran of the department whom the chief states that she intended, “… to deploy their Taser but instead shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet.” 

On Monday the Hennepin County medical examiner concluded that Mr. Wright “died of a gunshot wound of the chest and manner of death is homicide.”

Daunte Wright Vigil

After this announcement, a vigil was held for him. Katie Wright, the victim’s mother, pleaded towards those who joined the vigil to keep it peaceful. She states that she wants justice and no violence.

Yet hours later outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department tons of protestors threw cans and bricks at the center. Others looted and destroyed at least 20 businesses at a nearby mall. As quickly as possible the Mayor declared a state of emergency and a curfew for Monday.

About 40 people were detained that have charges from looting to violating the cerfew announcement.

Tuesday morning President Biden addressed the nation by saying this:

“Daunte Wright in Minnesota, that godawful shooting resulting in his death in the midst of an ongoing over the killing of George Floyd, and lord only knows what’s happened based on what the verdict will or will not be there.”

President Biden also states he will work hard towards the change the black community deserves. A meeting today that Biden states will hopefully allow change to happen soon.

After the recent events with George Floyd, Floyd’s family and loved ones also announced they will stand by Wright’s family. Promising that they will fight for never seeing another victim. Read the CNN article here.

As the story develops both officer Kim Potter and Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliot resigned earlier this Tuesday morning. You can read more about that here.