Minnesota officer to face manslaughter charge over shooting of black motorist

14 April 2021, 17:46 | Updated: 14 April 2021, 18:22

The shooting of Daunte Wright by a white officer led to protests
The shooting of Daunte Wright by a white officer led to protests. Picture: PA

By Will Taylor

A white former police officer who fatally shot black motorist Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in Minnesota is to be charged with manslaughter.

Kim Potter is due to face a second-degree manslaughter charge after the incident in Minneapolis, which led to days of unrest and clashes between protesters and police.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Potter resigned from the Brooklyn Centre Police Department, where she had served for 26 years, yesterday, as did police chief Tim Gannon.

Read more: Officer who 'accidentally' shot and killed black man 'meant to use Taser'

Protests rage in Minnesota after police shooting death

He had released Potter's body camera video the day after the shooting, which showed the ex-officer approach 20-year-old Mr Wright as he stood outside his car.

He was pulled over for having expired registration tags and an officer was arresting him for an outstanding warrant.

Potter is heard to shout "I'll Tase you" as Mr Wright struggles with police, before firing a shot from her handgun.

Mr Gannon said he believed Potter may have mistakenly grabbed her gun instead of her Taser, but protesters and Mr Wright's family say there is no excuse for the shooting, and demonstrates the justice system is tilted against black people.

The decision to charge, taken by Washington County Attorney Pete Orput, comes as the defence case in the prosecution of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin over the death of George Floyd continues.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's "remarkable" foreign policy achievements

Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's 'near-death' experience

Live
US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls as election day arrives

US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls in the final race for the White House

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team