20-Year-Old Daunte Wright Was Killed By Police Less Than 20km From The George Floyd Trial
Police say an officer pulled a gun instead of a taser during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
A young, unarmed Black man has been shot and killed at a traffic stop in Minnesota over the weekend.
Daunte Wright, 20, was pulled over for an expired car registration last Sunday in the city of Brooklyn Center.
Today I’m thinking about Daunte Wright and his family — and the pain, anger, and trauma that Black America experiences every day. While we await a full investigation, we know what we need to do to move forward: rebuild trust and ensure accountability so no one is above the law.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 12, 2021
Police reportedly also discovered a misdemeanor warrant, and an air freshener allegedly hanging from his rearview mirror that breached Minnesota law.
Wright stepped out of his car but broke free while being handcuffed, and got back into the driver’s seat, according to New York Magazine.
The officer drew her handgun instead of a taser in what Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon has called an “accidental discharge”.
The word 'accident' is being used when referring to Daunte Wright being murdered. Stop. We lost precious life and can not reduce that to a mishap. If you have a badge and a gun you don't get to say oops.
And the system responsible for his death was not created by accident.— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) April 12, 2021
Wright’s mother Katie was on the phone with her son during the altercation. She told reporters she heard scuffling and police telling her Daunte not to run, before the call ended.
Body cam footage shows the officer yelling out “I’ll tase you” and “Taser! Taser! Taser!”. As Wright drives off, the female officer is heard swearing and saying, “I just shot him”. She is now on administrative leave.
It’s believed Wright then hit another vehicle, and was given first aid, but died from his injuries.
#DaunteWright
Just 20 years old.
A father.
Unarmed, killed by police, and left on the street.
There must be accountability.
There must be justice. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WyMTpCV3CG— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) April 12, 2021
An attorney for the Wright family described the shooting as “inhumane” and “entirely preventable”.
Wright’s death took place less than 16km away from the courtroom where former Minneapolis officer, Derek Chauvin, is being trialled for the murder of George Floyd.
It also happened on the same day a Virginia police officer was fired for pepper-spraying Black-Latino US lieutenant Caron Nazario during a traffic stop in December last year.
Isn’t it interesting how much restraint police had during the Capitol Riots compared to routine traffic stops with black people?
— chris evans (@chris_notcapn) April 12, 2021
Hundreds of people clashed with police officers in response to Wright’s killing, according to the New York Times.
Reports say police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the protestors, before Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott ordered a curfew until 6am.
For those people who aren't aware of what's happening;
Protests escalated overnight in the town of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, where a police officer fatally shot a Black man, 20-year-old Daunte Wright, on Sunday. Officers had pulled Wright over for a traffic violation. /c pic.twitter.com/9jMKojM3nm
— Sleepy Zera 🌸 has gone dark cause of the fiances (@momorinsims) April 12, 2021
Daunte Wright is survived by his two-year-old son, Daunte Jr.
More to come.