Former police officer Kim Potter has reportedly left the local police force after shooting and killing Daunte Wright on April 11. The Law Enforcement Labor Services stated that the former submitted her letter of resignation earlier today.
"I am tendering my resignation from the Brooklyn Center Police Department effective immediately. 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," Potter wrote in her now public resignation letter.
Her resignation comes just two days after she shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, a suburb of Minneapolis. Wright's tragic death has sparked outrage and protests not only in the greater Minneapolis area, but also in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Across the world, a number of public figures offered their thoughts on Wright's untimely death.
"Daunte Wright should still be alive. My heart goes out to his family, his friends. And to all Black people who are tired of waking up to tragedy after tragedy," actress Kerry Washington tweeted.
"Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police. It’s important to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but this is also a reminder of just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country," former President Barack Obama added.
Potter's abrupt resignation has also triggered immediate reactions from many around the country. From organizers to celebrities, many have questioned why Potter was given the chance to resign instead of being immediately fired. Others have been frustrated that no one has been criminally charged with Wright's murder as of yet. Meanwhile, the trial of Derek Chauvin continues less than 20 minutes away.
"Potter commits homicide but isn’t arrested, processed [or] questioned. Instead, [she] gets to resign [and] spend her time writing a statement to the public. What justification is there for her receiving different treatment from the general public? [Does] being a cop [afford] you less culpability," organizer Bree Newsome Bass tweeted.
"Officer Kim Potter has resigned from her job after killing Daunte Wright. Now prosecute her," author Majid M. Padellan added.
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