Man, 20, Fatally Shot by Brooklyn Center Police
The scene of an officer-involved shooting in Brooklyn Center in the area of Kathrene Dr. & 63rd Ave. N. on Sunday, April 11, 2021. PHOTO BY MN CRIME.
A Brooklyn Center officer fatally shot a 20-year-old man during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon, with a large crowd forming in the aftermath and police in riot gear holding the area.
Police tried to stop the driver on the 6300 block of Orchard Ave. shortly before 2 p.m., when they learned he had an outstanding warrant, according to a media release from Brooklyn Center police.
UPDATE: Video Shows Brooklyn Center Officer Mistakes Gun for Taser, Fatally Shoots Man
When officers were trying to take him into custody, the driver re-entered the vehicle, police said. An officer discharged their firearm, striking the driver, who continued driving several blocks before hitting another vehicle near 63rd Ave. N. & Kathrene Dr.
Officers who were in pursuit rendered aid to the man at the crash site, but he died a short time later. A female passenger in the man’s vehicle had non-life-threatening injuries from the crash and was taken to the hospital. No one in the vehicle that was struck was hurt.
Outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department on Humboldt Ave. N. as a crowd was growing Sunday, April 11, 2011.
Family members at the scene identified the man as Daunte Wright, though he has not yet been identified by authorities. Wright’s mother said he called her on the phone to say he was getting pulled over, she told those gathered near the scene Sunday.
According to court documents, Wright had recent charges for possession of a firearm and fleeing, and he did not show up for his court date on those charges earlier this month, which triggered the warrant.
Authorities have not yet said if a firearm was found at the crash site or in the area of the shooting.
As officers locked down the area, a crowd grew larger and more vocal. Officers in full riot gear formed a line to keep the crowd back, and at least two squad cars were damaged by large rocks, with several people seen standing atop them in livestreams shared to social media.
Wright’s family and community leaders called for calm as the facts of the incident still come to light.
UPDATE: Video Shows Brooklyn Center Officer Mistakes Gun for Taser, Fatally Shoots Man
“The officer shooting in Brooklyn Center today is tragic. We are asking the protesters to continue to be peaceful and that peaceful protesters are not dealt with with force.” Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliot said in a tweet.
Late Sunday night, as the crowd moved from the shooting scene to outside the Brooklyn Center police station on Humboldt Ave. N., dozens of officers surrounded the building outfitted in riot gear. The crowd was reportedly throwing bottles and rocks at the officers, who responded with deploying gas canisters, rubber bullets and flashbangs after giving several orders to disperse.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also release a statement late Sunday: “I am closely monitoring the situation in Brooklyn Center. Gwen and I are praying for Daunte Wright’s family as our state mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement.”
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the officer-involved shooting and more information is expected in the coming days. Brooklyn Center officers wear body cameras and their dash camera video should be made available during the investigation.
UPDATE: The Minnesota BCA has identified the officer who has been placed on leave for the shooting as officer Kim Potter, 48. She has been with the department for nearly 26 years and is president of the Brooklyn Center Police Officers’ Association. Because of the active investigation, more personnel data is not yet available.