Officer Who Killed Daunte Wright Resigns ‘In The Best Interest Of The Community’
The officer who shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright in a Minnesota suburb on Sunday has resigned. Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon who said in a press conference Monday that the shooting was accidental, also announced his resignation.
On Tuesday, Kim Potter, a 26 year veteran of the Brooklyn Police department announced her resignation in a letter to Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliot and Gannon, according to ABC News. Subsequently, Gannon also announced his own resignation from the department.
Ofc. Kim Potter killed Daunte Wright — but did she know the difference between a handgun and a taser? The facts:
‼️ 26 years as a police officer — She was 6 YEARS into her career when Daunte was BORN!
‼️ Serves as police union president
‼️ Defended questionable actions before… pic.twitter.com/M9eMU7Tyjw— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) April 13, 2021
“I have loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability, but I believe it is in the best interest of the community, the department, and my fellow officers if I resign immediately,” her letter reads.
Potter was previously suspended from the force while awaiting investigation results from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The Washington Post reported that the 48-year-old officer has been involved in one fatal police shooting in the past, where a mentally ill man was shot six times.
On Monday, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office reported Wright died of a gunshot wound to the chest and ruled his death a homicide, according to ABC 5.
“Let me be very clear. My position is that we cannot afford to make mistakes that lead to the loss of life of other people in our profession,” Elliot said at a news conference. “So I do fully support releasing the officer of her duties.”
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is currently investigating the incident, however, Mayor Elliot requested on Twitter that the case be reassigned to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
To ensure transparency and to continue building trust in our community, I’m asking the Governor @GovTimWalz to reassign Daunte’s case to the office of the attorney general @AGEllison.
— Mayor Mike Elliott (@mayor_elliott) April 13, 2021
“To ensure transparency and to continue building trust in our community, I’m asking the Governor @GovTimWalz to reassign Daunte’s case to the office of the attorney general @AGEllison,” he wrote in a tweet.
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said a “thorough yet expedited” review of criminal charges is expected to be complete by Wednesday, the Star Tribune reported. He added that he also wishes to speak with the family to explain his decision and offer his condolences.