Regarding the death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, Brooklyn Police Officer Kim Porter has been arrested on second-degree manslaughter charges, according to Fox News.
It is anticipated that Washington County Attorney Pete Orput will make the announcement of official charges on Wednesday.
Second-degree manslaughter charges carry the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) this morning arrested a former a Brooklyn Center police officer for the April 11 shooting death of Daunte Wright. Agents took Kim Potter into custody at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the BCA in St. Paul.
— Minnesota BCA (@MnDPS_BCA) April 14, 2021
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump made remarks stating that the shooting was “no accident.”
“Driving while Black continues to result in a death sentence.”
“While we appreciate that the district attorney is pursuing justice for Daunte, no conviction can give the Wright family their loved one back.”
“This was no accident. This was an intentional, deliberate, and unlawful use of force.”
“Driving while Black continues to result in a death sentence.”
“A 26-year veteran of the force knows the difference between a taser and a firearm.”
“Kim Potter executed Daunte for what amounts to no more than a minor traffic infraction and a misdemeanor warrant.”
“Daunte’s life, like George Floyd’s life, like Eric Garner’s, like Breonna Taylor’s, like David Smith’s meant something.”
“But Kim Potter saw him as expendable. It’s past time for meaningful change in our country.”
“We will keep fighting for justice for Daunte, for his family, and for all marginalized people of color.”
Crump went on to say that Wright “was not a threat to them.”
“Was it the best decision? No. But young people don’t always make the best decisions. As his mother said, he was scared.”
“And we will not stop until there is meaningful policing and justice reform and until we reach our goal of true equality.”
Potter stated, “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.”
From Fox News:
Police and demonstrators faced off for the third consecutive night Tuesday, with crowds gathering again at Brooklyn Center’s heavily guarded police headquarters, now ringed by concrete barriers and a tall metal fence, and where police in riot gear and National Guard soldiers stood watch.
About 90 minutes before a 10 p.m. curfew, state police announced over a loudspeaker that the gathering had been declared unlawful and ordered the crowds to disperse. That quickly set off confrontations, with demonstrators launching fireworks toward the station and throwing objects at police, who launched flashbangs and gas grenades, and then marched in a line to force back the crowd.
“You are hereby ordered to disperse,” authorities announced, warning that anyone not leaving would be arrested. The state police said the dispersal order came before the curfew because demonstrators were trying to take down the fencing and throwing rocks at police
Police also ordered all media to leave the scene.
On Tuesday, Crump spoke outside the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis where fired police officer Derek Chauvin is on trial in Floyd’s death. Crump compared Wright’s death to that of Floyd, who was pinned down by officers during an arrest for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 at a neighborhood market last May.
According to Hennepin County District Court documents obtained by Fox News, Wright was charged with first-degree aggravated robbery in a December 2019 incident in Osseso, Minn. He was released on $100,000 bail. His bail was revoked in July because he allegedly possessed a firearm and was not keeping in touch with his probation officer.
Wright died of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the medical examiner.
Police in the Minneapolis suburb of Champlin have also erected concrete barriers around Potter’s home.