The police officer who fatally shot a Black man in Minnesota has been arrested and subsequently charged with second-degree manslaughter, said officials on Wednesday.
Kimberly Potter, the police officer who shot a Black driver during a traffic stop in Minnesota had already tendered her resignation on Tuesday night. Although her fate was uncertain, it has now been declared that she would be charged with second-degree manslaughter. According to the Bureau, if found guilty of second-degree manslaughter, then Potter may have to spend a decade behind bars.
She was arrested by the police at 11.30 am at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in St Paul. However, she later posted a bond that allowed her to be released within a day. Despite being released, she still has to face the charge against her. The killing of Daunte Wright will be remembered in the years to come. It is a clear indication of the kind of treatment that people of color get in the state.
The deceased boy’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump stated: “the reason why we are getting due process so quickly in the state of Minnesota for the killing of Daunte Wright is because of the blood of their children.” Moreover, he added that if Wright’s case would not have been supported by renowned celebrities like Eric Garner, it would have been really difficult to press charges against Kimberly Potter. Wright’s older brother, Dallas Bryant, has stated that he’s not completely satisfied with the charges against the killer of his brother as he was expecting more. However, Dallas at the moment is going to celebrate every win coming their way. The 23-year old also added that he wants people to continue their protests until justice is served.
Regardless, Daunte Wright’s family is elated to hear the news that Kim Potter had been charged for the crime she has committed. The 26-year-old officer claimed to have shot the boy by mistake as she was pulling her taser out. This argument has received extensive criticism as people refuse to believe that a qualified officer like her didn’t know the difference between a taser and a gun.
Other attorneys of the Wright’s family have also commented on the matter and said that Kimberly Potter’s intentions were not exactly pure and it was an intentional use of force. They further added that it is time for “meaningful change in our country” and so we hope.
