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The police chief and the officer in Brooklyn Center, Minn. who fatally shot a 20-year-old black man during a traffic stop resigned on Tuesday. Officer Kimberly Potter submitted her resignation letter to the Law Enforcement Labor Services, a public safety labor union. Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott said the city didn’t ask Potter, a 26-year veteran, to resign. Police Chief Tim Gannon also issued his resignation in the wake of Sunday’s shooting, which resulted in two days of protests.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a statement that Potter discharged her firearm Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop that resulted in the death of Daunte Wright. She was placed on administration leave before her resignation. Authorities released a brief video clip of the incident from her body-worn camera. During a news conference, police chief Gannon said Potter accidentally shot Wright with her firearm and believed that she “had the intention” to deploy her Taser.
The officers pulled Wright over Sunday afternoon and discovered he was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant. In the footage, Wright appears to struggle with the arresting officer and Potter is heard repeatedly saying “Taser” before discharging her weapon, firing a single bullet.
Gov. Tim Walz declared a curfew for the four counties of Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota and Anoka from 7 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday after protesters and police clashed in the Minneapolis suburb for a second night.
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