Minnesota Cop And Police Chief Resign After Daunte Wright’s Killing
Brooklyn Center’s City Council also voted to fire City Manager Curt Boganey and instead appoint Mayor Mike Elliott to oversee the police department.
The Minnesota police officer who shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop over the weekend, as well the officer’s boss, both resigned on Tuesday. The police killing of another Black man in Minnesota — which came as ex-officer Derek Chauvin is on trial in Minneapolis for the death of George Floyd — has prompted renewed protests across the region and country since Sunday night.
Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter and Police Chief Tim Gannon submitted their resignations on Tuesday. At a press conference Monday, Gannon called the shooting an “accidental discharge,” and indicated Potter allegedly intended to use her Taser. She had initially been put on administrative leave as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigates the incident.
Brooklyn Center’s City Council separately voted on Monday to fire City Manager Curt Boganey, and instead appoint Mayor Mike Elliott to oversee the police department. The Star Tribune reported that city leaders seemed “poised to fire” Police Chief Gannon had he not resigned.
During the Monday press conference, Boganey had expressed apprehension about firing Potter while an investigation is ongoing; Mayor Elliott expressed support for relieving her of duties.
Wright was killed in Brooklyn Center after police say they pulled him over during a traffic stop around 2 p.m. Sunday. Police claim the officer shot Wright after he “re-entered the vehicle” during an arrest; Wright’s vehicle then “traveled several blocks” and hit another vehicle. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Gannon said Monday that Wright was allegedly pulled over because of expired tags and an item dangling from his rear review mirror, and that police then determined he had an outstanding warrant.