The officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright during a traffic stop Sunday resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Department, and Police Chief Tim Gannon followed with his own resignation.
Officer Kim Potter announced her resignation Tuesday afternoon, and Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliot announced shortly after that Gannon would be stepping down and replaced by Tony Gruenig as acting chief, according to KTVU.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released Potter’s identity one day after she was placed on “standard administrative leave” for an accidental discharge of her weapon that killed Wright.
“I have loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability, but I believe it is in the best interest of the community, the department, and my fellow officers if I resign immediately,” Potter wrote, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
OFFICER WHO KILLED DAUNTE WRIGHT IDENTIFIED AS 26-YEAR DEPARTMENT VETERAN
Her letter was addressed to Elliot, acting City Manager Reggie Edwards, and Gannon.
Former Brooklyn Center City Manager Curt Boganey was fired after Elliott announced Monday he had been “relieved of his duties.” The mayor did not provide a reason for the firing.
The Hennepin County medical examiner released its autopsy report in the case Monday, which said Wright, who crashed into another car several blocks away after he was shot, “died of a gunshot wound of the chest and manner of death is homicide.”
Elliot will ask Gov. Tim Walz to have the attorney general take over the case of Wright’s homicide from the Washington County Attorney’s Office, he said during a Tuesday press conference.
“The BCA has this investigation now … They’re the investigating agency. They’re going to review the tape, review all the facts, interview everyone who was involved, and then they’re going to make their recommendations to the prosecuting attorneys,” Elliot said Tuesday.
The BCA released a statement Monday saying Potter was responsible for Wright’s death during the investigation into the incident.
Potter meant to fire her Taser but used her handgun instead, Gannon said at a press conference Monday. Gannon described the incident as an “accidental shooting.”
“Holy s—. I shot him,” the officer can be heard saying before the video ends.
Potter, 48, was first licensed as a police officer in 1995 and has served on the Brooklyn Center Police Department’s negotiation team. She was reportedly among 11 officers who received a Chief’s Unit Certificate of Commendation in 2017, awarded following a 2016 death investigation.
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The Washington Examiner reached out to the Brooklyn Center Police Department but did not receive a response.