Police officer who killed African American Daunte Wright arrested near Minneapolis

Police officers who shot and killed an African American youth near Minneapolis were arrested on manslaughter charges, at a time when this city in the Midwestern United States is the scene of protests and the lawsuit against the former agent responsible for the death of African American also George Floyd last year.

“Officers detained Kim Potter around 11:30 am,” the Minnesota Criminal Arrest Bureau said in a statement, adding that wrongful death charges would be filed later today.

Potter, 48, resigned after the incident in which he claims he mistook his Taser for his duty weapon when he shot Daunte Wright, 20, at a traffic stop on Sunday.

Wright’s death sparked further protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where racial tension mounts amid the murder and wrongful death trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for Floyd’s death, catalyzing a historic wave of protests against the racism in the United States and around the world.

Protesters clashed with police for a third night on Tuesday, leaving more than 60 people arrested, law enforcement officials said.

Riot police mobilized to disperse the About 1,000 protesters gathered in Brooklyn Center, the suburb where the incident that ended Wright’s life took place.

Officers threw stun grenades as protesters threw objects such as water bottles and bricks.

Earlier Tuesday, the Wright and Floyd families came together to demand an end to the police brutality and the murder of unarmed African Americans by white police officers.

“The world views with trauma the murder of another African American,” said Philonise Floyd, George’s brother, who testified Monday at Derek Chauvin’s trial.

A gun for a taser?

“From the Floyd family to the Wright family, they have our condolences,” he added, comforting the last African-American family to mourn the death of a loved one at the hands of the police.

“We are there, and we will fight for justice for this family,” he added.

The Floyd and Wrights reject explanation that Daunte’s death was a tragic accident Due to police confusion, several of its members demanded that the officer be arrested and jailed.

“Do they call it a mistake? A gun for a taser? This is unacceptable, ”said Floyd’s nephew Brandon Williams. “Just because you are the law does not mean that you are above the law,” he added.

“I feel like my son’s father has been robbed,” said Chyna Whitaker, mother of Daunte Wright’s son.

“I can not breathe”

As part of the protests, prosecutors in the Chauvin trial concluded their presentation this week, leading to the defense.

During his argument on behalf of the former police officer, defense attorney Eric Nelson claimed that Floyd died from fentanyl and methamphetamine use as well as underlying health issues and testified a motion for acquittal, claiming prosecutors were unable to prove her case against 45-year-old Chauvin. one year old white male beyond a reasonable doubt.

Video of Floyd’s death, filmed by a passerby, shows Chauvin kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes while the 46-year-old, who is lying on the ground, handcuffed, repeatedly says he cannot breathe. This sentence which has become the emblem of demonstrations against racism.

Images of the arrest – motivated by his alleged use of a fake $ 20 bill at a store – and Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, unleashed protests against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States and around the world.

In the case of Wright’s death, police body camera footage shows officers pulling Wright out of his car after arresting him for a traffic violation and discovering he had an outstanding warrant . When officers try to handcuff Wright, he fights with them and returns to the car. A policewoman shouts: “Taser! Taser! Taser! “but then a gunshot is heard.

President Joe Biden called the incident “tragic” and called for calm while authorities investigate.

By Ben Sheppard with Chris Lefkow in Washington (AFP)

KEEP READING: