Daunte Wright Shooter Veteran Officer Kimberly Potter Resigns Following Public Outcry

Tensions in Minnesota have heightened leading to further riots and lootings following the fatal police shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright. As the investigation into the death continues, the veteran officer responsible announced her retirement "in the best interest" of the community, the department and her fellow officers.

The day after the victim was shot, the identity of the police officer responsible for the incident has been released. The 48-year-old Kimberly Potter had initially been placed on administrative leave as her actions were being investigated. Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon called the shooting an “accidental discharge”. On Wednesday, April 13, Gannon too retired after being heavily criticized for his statements.

On Sunday, April 11 Wright and his girlfriend were stopped during a routine traffic stop. Bodycam footage from the accused officer showed that one of the officers had the young man held against his vehicle while trying to put handcuffs on him.

During the struggle Wright appears to have resisted arrest, freeing himself and getting back into his vehicle. As Potter and her partner struggled to get the fleeing man out of the car, she can be heard shouting “Taser”. Instead of firing her taser, the veteran officer ended up firing a round from her service pistol.

Wright managed to drive away but died shortly after.

Since the report of the incident, tensions mounted in Minnesota. The state has been the center of protests that started due to the death of George Floyd in police custody last year. As the trial against Derek Chauvin continues, the death of another black man has enraged the public.

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott is one of the people who believe that Potter should be fired from the police department for her actions, New York Post reported. However, Gannon does not seem to support the mayor's opinion. When questioned about the termination of the officer, he said that she would be subjected to “due process”. He emphasized that the officer mistook her gun as her taser and she had no intention of shooting the victim.

News Week revealed that Wright’s death is not the only fatal shooting of a black man that Potter has been a part of. In 2019, after 21-year-old Kobe Dimock-Heisler was shot six times in his home, the experienced officer was investigated. She had arrived at the scene while it was being secured and Dimock-Heisler was still alive.

She advised other officers to leave the scene, go in separate squad cars and switch off their body cams. The officers responsible for the death of the man on the autism spectrum walked free.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident leading to Wright’s death. The former officer with 26-years of experience continues to be investigated for her involvement.