Ex-police officer Kimberly Potter was charged with first-degree manslaughter on Sept. 2 for the death of Daunte Wright last April at a traffic stop in Minnepaolis, according to the Star Tribune. She was previously charged with second-degree murder.
The 26-year veteran officer claimed at the time that she meant to shoot Wright with her Taser but accidentally grabbed her service gun, according to the Associated Press. Potter carried her service weapon on her right side and her Taser, which is yellow, on her left side. Wright had been pulled over for expired tags.
Wright’s family is represented by Ben Crump and he disputes Potter’s claim that she shot Wright by accident, noting that a 26-year veteran of the police department should know the difference between her gun and a Taser. Potter was also given additional Taser training six months prior to the shooting.
“Kim Potter executed Daunte for what amounts to no more than a minor traffic infraction and a misdemeanor warrant,” he said.
Attorney General @AGEllison has added the charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree to Kim Potter, the former Brooklyn Center officer charged in the death of Daunte Wright. pic.twitter.com/IYuLLKjKHs
— Lou Raguse (@LouRaguse) September 2, 2021
Wright was standing outside his vehicle being handcuffed for a unrelated warrant when he attempted to get back into his car when he was fatally shot by Potter in the chest.
Potter reportedly yelled, “I’ll Tase you! I’ll Tase you! Taser! Taser! Taser!” at Wright before shooting him with her gun. She later reportedly said she was going to jail for shooting Wright. “I’m going to prison. I shot a boy.”
One of Potter’s attorneys, Earl Gray, also represents one of the officers involved in the murder of George Floyd, Thomas Lane.
In addition to the first-degree manslaughter charge, Potter is also charges with second-degree manslaughter. Potter’s trial begins Nov. 30.
