[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. That's when she heard police ask her son to step out of the vehicle. I can't accept that. "However, the officer drew their handgun instead of their Taser," Gannon told reporters. The family of Daunte Wright celebrate a guilty verdict for Kim Potter outside of the Hennepin County Government Center on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Minneapolis. "He just had his whole life taken away from him. Jazz musician Keyon Harrold played an instrumental piece. We should listen to Daunte's mom who is calling for peace and calm. I can't accept that.". [16] Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott called on Governor Tim Walz to reassign the case to the office of the State Attorney General Keith Ellison. Wright's family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the City of Brooklyn Center on June 21, 2022, for $3.25 million. "We had our hearts pulled out of our chests," the mother said. He was funny and had big dreams for his future. Daunte Wright's killing has sparked demonstrations -- some violent -- in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, Portland, New York and other cities. A day after Daunte Wright, 20, was shot dead during a Sunday afternoon traffic stop, family and friends remembered him as someone who enjoyed every joke, every laugh, every lively moment he created. "I heard scuffling . 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. Potter, a 26-year police veteran, was sentenced in to two years in prison in February after she was tried and convicted of first- and second-degree manslaughter. [92][93] Air fresheners became a symbol at protests and rallies over Wright's death, referring to one of the violations police alleged Wright committed the day of the shooting. Governor Peggy Flanagan said, "As a child advocate, I am grappling with the stark reality: Minnesota is a place where it is not safe to be Black. [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. [127][131] Nine of the twelve jurors seated were White, similar to the demographics of Hennepin County, one was Black and two were Asian, with the jury evenly split between men and women. [54][55][19], The Hennepin County medical examiner's office released a report on April 12 that determined the manner of death to be homicide and concluded that Wright had "died of a gunshot wound of the chest. Updated Apr 12, 2021 at 10:34pm. [77] On April 14, 2021, protesters put up a large, wooden sculpture of a raised fist at the 63rd Avenue North and Kathrene Drive intersection where car driven by Wright collided with another vehicle. Wright's family said at the scene that he was the father of a son, Daunte Wright Jr., who will turn 2 in July, Star Tribune reporter Kim Hyatt tweeted. Daunte Wright's parents, Aubrey and Katie speak to "Good Morning America," April 13, 2021. ", "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? The car door remained open while Wright put his hands behind his back and the trainee officer attempted to put on handcuffs. Naisha Wright called her nephew's death "murder" and demanded that the officer be held to the "highest" standard in the law. ", "She was a training officer and so it's not about training, it's about implicit bias," Crump said on "GMA" during Tuesday's exclusive interview. ", "Former officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright to have trial start on Nov. 30", "Former Brooklyn Center officer Kimberly Potter's trial will be livestreamed", "Jury breakdown: Who will hear the trial of Kim Potter", "Mostly white jury seated for Kim Potter trial in Daunte Wright's death", "Kim Potter's trial in Daunte Wright's death will have a mostly white jury", "The jury begins deliberations in Kim Potter's trial over the killing of Daunte Wright", "No verdict in Kim Potter trial after first day of deliberation", "Jury finds Brooklyn Center Officer Potter guilty of manslaughter", "Live updates: Kim Potter found guilty in Daunte Wright shooting", "Guilty: Jury convicts Potter of both counts of manslaughter in shooting of Daunte Wright", "Kim Potter Sentenced to 2 Years in Daunte Wright's Death", "Kim Potter, the ex-cop convicted in Daunte Wright's death, is sentenced to 2 years", "Judge sentences former officer Kim Potter to 2 years in prison for killing Daunte Wright", "Daunte Wright's mother began to sob as the first guilty verdict was read", "Kim Potter Sentenced To 16 Months In Prison, 8 Months Supervised Release For Killing Daunte Wright", "Kim Potter sentenced to 2 years in Daunte Wright's death", "Family of Man Shot Hires Famous Civil Rights Attorney", "Brooklyn Center reaches settlement with Daunte Wright's family for $3.25 million", "Minn. city to pay $3.25M in police killing of Daunte Wright, lawyers say", "Daunte Wright's girlfriend settles suit against Brooklyn Center for $350,000", "Daunte Wright shooting echoes Rochester Taser error in 2002", "Minnesota Officer Who Shot Daunte Wright Meant to Fire Taser, Chief Says", "A Lawrence police officer meant to use a Taser. "I know my son was scared. Police said Monday that Wright had warrants out for his arrest and was stopped because he had expired plates. [88][89][90][91], Protests, civil unrest, curfews, and clashes with police continued for the next several days in Brooklyn Center and around Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Under the policy, police officers would still be able to make an arrest if an offender posed a safety threat. ", She added, "He liked sports, just kind of goofing around and he was very funny.". Continuing the couple's explanation on Good Morning America, Katie said that she actually was on the phone with Daunte when the situation transpired. The parents of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man killed by police during a chaotic traffic stop in Minnesota earlier this year, spoke out after a former officer was convicted of manslaughter . And I'm just so messed up about it because I feel like they stole my son's dad from him. [74][75] Ali's resignation letter cited "vitriol" in public discourse about the case that made his job difficult. Taser! "Daunte said, 'For what, am I in trouble?' [74], On September 2, Ellison's office added the charge of first-degree manslaughter, predicated on reckless use/handling of a firearm, a more serious charge than second-degree manslaughter and carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. [13][143] Chu expressed that it was "one of the saddest cases Ive had on my 20 years on the bench". MORE: Daunte Wright's parents speak out after verdict for former officer Kim Potter. "He may not have been an angel," his grandmother said, "but he was our angel. Obama says he grieves with the family of Daunte Wright, makes call to 'reimagine policing and public safety' John L. Dorman 2021-04-13T15:04:52Z Shortly after Wrights death, the Brooklyn Center Police Department released video of how the traffic stop unfolded. ", 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." April 22, 2021 at 12:04 p.m. EDT. [27] They learned he had an open arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on a gross misdemeanor weapons violation for carrying a gun without a permit,[28][24] and that there was a protective order against him by an unnamed woman. [155] In September 2021, Brooklyn Center officials announced a new policy to cite and release criminal offenders for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges rather than take people into immediate custody. She said he told her that police had pulled him over due to air fresheners hanging in his rear view mirror. She also lead the crowd in a quiet moment in honor of Daunte. "This officer has been on the force for 26 years. "[105] Referring to controversy surrounding traffic stops due to small objects dangling from rear-view mirrors,[26] the American Civil Liberties Union said it had "deep concerns that police here appear to have used dangling air fresheners as an excuse for making a pretextual stop, something police do all too often to target Black people. According to a civil lawsuit filed Monday in Hennepin County, Chyna Whitaker says Wright's parents and attorney Ben . Family and friends of Daunte Wright, 20, grieve after they say he was shot and killed by police on 11 April 2021 in Brooklyn Center (AP) The death of a 20-year-old Black man, Daunte Wright , in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on Sunday has sparked protests against the police even as tensions were already running high due to the murder trial of a . [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. He worked in retail and fast-food jobs to support his . [21] He opened the driver's side door and Wright stepped out of the car. "I want to say thank you so much for the support and standing by us," Katie Wright said, "and making sure that my son's name doesn't get swept under the rug. Following Wrights killing, dayslong protests erupted in Brooklyn Center, which is just 10 miles from Minneapolis reigniting the scrutiny over the use of force by police against Black Americans. "We liked to shoot Roman candles at each other. A person lights candles at a vigil for Daunte Wright in Portland, Oregon, on April 12, 2021. ", Potter can be heard in the video yelling, "Holy s---, I just shot him!". [80] Officers with riot control equipment arrived, formed, a line, and moved in when demonstrators began climbing on police vehicles and throwing bricks. . Wright Family Wright's aunt, Nyesha Wright, told reporters Tuesday that she hopes officials hold Potter "at the highest extent of the law." 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. [18][15], Alayna Albrecht-Payton, a 20-year-old resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota,[19] and Wright's girlfriend, was sitting in the passenger's seat of the vehicle and was injured in the crash. Senator Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar attended the service. However, she claims that officers commanded that the call end in the middle of Daunte's altercation with them. Meanwhile, Wright phoned his mother. [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. 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. "They were his friends. ", "They could have given him a ticket, given him a notice to show up. He came from a loving family and cared for his son, said aunt Naisha Wright. Michelle Filkins cleans up and lights candles at the Daunte Wright memorial after guilty verdicts were announced against former police officer Kimberly Potter on December 23, in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. "[106][107], Former President Barack Obama said of the incident, "Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police. "[139] Potter, during her statement prior to the sentencing being read, apologized to Wright's family and to the community of Brooklyn Center, saying Wright "is not more than one thought away from my heart, and I have no right for that, for him to be in my heart. "Daunte put the phone down, I heard some scuffling. "[109], Al Sharpton said: "You can die for having expired tags or for a phony 20 dollar bill or you may have not even known it was a phony 20 dollar bill. Al Sharpton on the police killing of Daunte Wright: 'You can die for having expired tags', "Twins, Timberwolves, Wild reschedule games after Daunte Wright shooting", "Vikings Release Statement on the Killing of Daunte Wright by Brooklyn Center Police", "Timberwolves continue to seek change in wake of Daunte Wright killing", "Brooklyn Center PD union president speaks out after Daunte Wright shooting", "Daunte Wright's Mother Katie Wright Speaks At Tuesday Press Conference", "Daunte Wright Spent Final Moments Talking With His Mother", "This is what Daunte Wright told his mother on the phone right before he was shot", "Iconic fist sculpture from George Floyd Square rises in Brooklyn Center", "What will happen to the George Floyd memorial and all the others of Black men killed by Minneapolis police", "At Daunte Wright Funeral, Minneapolis Mourns the 'Prince of Brooklyn Center', "Mourners gather in Minneapolis for funeral of Daunte Wright", "Minnesota Judicial Branch - 27-CR-21-7460: State vs. Kimberly Potter", "Judge: Behavior errors on table at ex-cop's homicide trial", "Jury selection is underway in Kim Potter manslaughter trial", "What to Know About Kimberly Potter's Trial for the Death of Daunte Wright", "Who are the lawyers in the Kim Potter trial? The sum is part of a settlement deal the family struck with the city, which also agreed to make changes in its policing policies and training, the Wright family legal team said in a news release. Image via YouTube. It's important to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but this is also a reminder of just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country. [50][51] Officers administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but Wright was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:18p.m.[52][49][53] Albrecht-Payton, the passenger in Wright's vehicle, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and no one in the other vehicle was injured. She also said that she never observed Wright with a gun and that he was not being violent or making verbal threats during the arrest. [111] The Minnesota Vikings released a statement which said in part: "This avoidable situation is yet another tragic reminder of the drastic need for change in law enforcement. [71] Potter was represented by Earl Gray, a Saint Paul-based attorney who also defended Thomas Lane and Jeronimo Yanez, who were involved with the killings of George Floyd and Philando Castile, respectively. Daunte Wright's wake draws family, community and activists . Daunte Wright's mother, Katie Wright, told ABC News that her son had called her during the traffic stop. "[98], Minnesota Lt. [94][26] Protesters demanded justice for Wright's death and made several demands of public officials, including a murder charge for Potter, an independent investigation of the shooting, and enactment of police reform measures. Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a police officer on April 11. [119][50] The sculpture had been displayed previously at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, but it was replaced there by a version made of metal. [139] She continued, "I'll never be able to forgive you for what you've stolen from us. Another shows Wright, wearing a COVID-19 face mask and his son wearing a bib with the inscription . In an interview with Good Morning America, Daunte's parents explained very clearly what they thought about police ruling the situation that left their son dead a "mistake." [127] Erin Eldridge, an assistant attorney general who also participated in the Chauvin trial, joined Frank. After a brief struggle with officers, Potter shot Wright in the chest once at close range. Sophia Ankel and Joshua Zitser. She explained that her son told her he had air freshener hanging from his mirror, which can draw a traffic ticket in Minnesota. Five days earlier, her son, Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old father of one, had been shot and killed by a single bullet fired by a white police . "[116][117] The mother of Wright's son said: "His dad won't get to see him for his second birthday or for any of his birthdays. '' his grandmother said, 'For what, am I in trouble? activists. 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