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Daunte Demetrious Wright, a 20-year-old African American man, tragically lost his life during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Wright was born on October 27, 2000, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to parents Katie Wright and Aubrey Wright. He had two siblings and attended Patrick Henry High School in 2019 before dropping out.
The incident that led to Wright’s death began on April 11, 2021, when Officer Kimberly Potter attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant. A struggle ensued, during which Potter discharged her service pistol at close range, striking Wright in the chest. She later claimed to have intended to use her Taser, a statement underscored by her shouts of “Taser! Taser! Taser!” prior to the fatal shot.
Following the shooting, Wright managed to drive away, only to collide with another vehicle and a concrete barrier. Despite the immediate administration of CPR by a police officer and subsequent attempts by paramedics, Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident ignited widespread outrage, starting in Brooklyn Center and rapidly spreading across the state and the nation. In the wake of the national news coverage, both Potter and Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon resigned from their positions.
In a subsequent trial at Hennepin County Court, Potter was convicted of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter, leading to a 16-month jail sentence. In the aftermath, Wright’s family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the City of Brooklyn Center for $3.25 million. Additionally, a passenger in Wright’s car, injured in the collision, settled a civil suit with the city for $350,000.
Wright’s death catalyzed a movement for change. The Brooklyn Center Police Department revised its policy on arresting individuals for misdemeanor offenses, and the city council introduced alternative public safety measures. Furthermore, Wright’s death led to changes in Taser procedures and other policing policies, not only in Minnesota but also across the country.
In memory of Wright, the City of Brooklyn Center established a public memorial site. Located at the intersection of 63rd Avenue North and Kathrene Drive, the site features a steel and granite rendering of Wright. This location is significant as it is where Wright was pulled over, and the fatal incident occurred. The memorial design includes a small granite plaza, a portrait of Wright, a plaque, and a planter adorned with symbols significant to Wright. It also references a makeshift fist sculpture that had long stood at the site, symbolizing the enduring impact of Wright’s life and the movement his death sparked.
