Daunte Wright’s family, hundreds of protesters call for reform, more serious charges in shooting

Hundreds of demonstrators on Sunday gathered and marched through Brooklyn Center, Minn., where 20-year-old Daunte Wright was fatally shot by former police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop last month.

The demonstrators joined Wright’s family in calling for more serious charges to be made against Potter, The Associated Press reports. The former Brooklyn Center police officer resigned from the police force shortly before being arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter.

The crowd of people marched for several miles to the Brooklyn Center Police Department where Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, led the demonstrators in chanting her son’s name, the AP reports. Traffic was shut down due to the demonstration.

“We’re going to continue to be in these streets, on social media, at the police station. … Like I’ve always said, it’s never gonna be justice for us,” Wright said. “But we want 100 percent accountability.”

The police station has been surrounded by concrete barriers and fencing since the incident, and the AP reports that Wright’s name was spelled out with an array of car air fresheners. Katie Wright has said that her son was pulled over for having an air freshener hanging in his car.

Officers say that Wright was pulled over due to an expired registration and an object hanging from his rearview mirror. After officers pulled him over, it was discovered that Wright had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. As officers attempted to arrest him, Wright jumped back into his car. Potter could be heard saying she shot him as he drove away.

If convicted, Potter faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. She made her first appearance in court via Zoom on April 15. During this appearance, Potter was informed of the terms of her bail agreement and her next court appearance was set for May 17.