Former Minnesota police officer who shot Daunte Wright to face charges

The former Minnesota police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright during a traffic stop last weekend will face criminal charges, according to a report.

Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center Police Department and former union president, resigned Tuesday after the fatal shooting and will now face undetermined criminal charges, KSTP-TV reported Tuesday. Potter had previously been put on leave.

This May 31, 2007 photo shows Officer Kim Potter, part of the Brooklyn Center Police negotiation team in Brooklyn Center, Minn.
This May 31, 2007 photo shows Officer Kim Potter, part of the Brooklyn Center Police negotiation team in Brooklyn Center, Minn. (Bruce Bisping/AP)

Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon also resigned Tuesday.

Wright was shot after allegedly attempting to flee a traffic stop Sunday afternoon. Potter apparently tried to unholster a Taser but shot the 20-year-old instead, Gannon said during a press conference Monday, which led to calls for his ouster.

While the shooting occurred in Hennepin County (Brooklyn Center is northwest of the Twin Cities), the Washington County Attorney’s Office is handling the case to avoid any conflicts of interest, according to KSTP-TV.

Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, died after he was shot by an officer during a traffic stop in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center, Minn., on Sunday, April 11, 2021.
Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, died after he was shot by an officer during a traffic stop in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center, Minn., on Sunday, April 11, 2021.

Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said a “thorough yet expedited” review of potential charges, such as manslaughter, against Potter or any others would be completed by no later than Wednesday, according to the Star Tribune.

“I’m hoping Wednesday, but I want to have the opportunity to give my condolences to his family and explain to them my decision,” Orput said.

According to reports, Potter has retained Earl Gray as her defense attorney. Gray is also representing former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane, who is one of the former officers charged in George Floyd’s death in May 2020.

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