Kim Potter, the former Brooklyn Center, Minnesota police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright, was released from jail on Wednesday (April 14) after posting a $100,000 bond. Potter, 48, was arrested on second-degree manslaughter charges hours earlier and booked into the Hennepin County jail by authorities with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Potter fatally shot 20-year-old Wright during a traffic stop for expired tags on Sunday (April 11).
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput brought the charges against the 26-year police veteran.
“Certain occupations carry an immense responsibility and none more so than a sworn police officer,” Washington County assistant criminal division chief Imran Ali told CBS Minnesota.
“With that responsibility comes a great deal of discretion and accountability. We will vigorously prosecute this case and intend to prove that Officer Potter abrogated her responsibility to protect the public when she used her firearm rather than her Taser. Her action caused the unlawful killing of Mr. Wright and she must be held accountable,” Ali, who is also the director of the Major Crime Unit, said.
Potter, along with Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon submitted their resignations on Tuesday (April 13). During a press conference on Monday (April 12), Gannon described Potter’s fatal actions as “accidental.”
Wright’s family is demanding justice for Daunte as the community and the nation continues to watch the trial of former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin who killed George Floyd in Minneapolis last May, just miles away from Brooklyn Center.
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