Protesters rally outside Minnesota police station 2 days after killing of Daunte Wright, driven back by wall of cops

Joseph Wilkinson

Demonstrators and police officers squared off for the third straight night Tuesday in Brooklyn Center, Minn., after an officer fatally shot Daunte Wright on Sunday.

Hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters demanded justice for Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was killed by officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop.

The rally began in the afternoon in the north Minneapolis suburb, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It was focused at the Brooklyn Center police station, which was ringed by a wire fence backed by local, state and federal authorities.

People gather Tuesday outside of Brooklyn Center's police station in support of Daunte Wright.
People gather Tuesday outside of Brooklyn Center's police station in support of Daunte Wright.


People gather Tuesday outside of Brooklyn Center's police station in support of Daunte Wright. (John Minchillo/)

An hours-long standoff ensued, which was at times tense, BuzzFeed News reported, and at times calm, such as when people laid flowers at a makeshift memorial for Wright, according to local CBS affiliate WCCO.

After darkness fell, police declared an unlawful assembly. Cops fired tear gas and flash bangs at the assembled people, who responded with water bottles and other items, the Star Tribune reported.

Heavily armored officers stand guard Tuesday outside Brooklyn Center's police station.
Heavily armored officers stand guard Tuesday outside Brooklyn Center's police station.


Heavily armored officers stand guard Tuesday outside Brooklyn Center's police station. (John Minchillo/)

The unlawful assembly declaration was made ahead of a scheduled 10 p.m. curfew for Brooklyn Center and many surrounding communities, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Once the illegal assembly was announced, cops threatened to arrest remaining protesters. The officers exited their fenced-in perimeter and the crowd chaotically fled. Reports suggested several people were detained.

A demonstrator carries a flag bearing the names of Black and Latino homicide victims at a Tuesday rally outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department.
A demonstrator carries a flag bearing the names of Black and Latino homicide victims at a Tuesday rally outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department.


A demonstrator carries a flag bearing the names of Black and Latino homicide victims at a Tuesday rally outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department. (John Minchillo/)

While Tuesday’s arrest total was unclear, at least 40 people were arrested Monday across the Minneapolis area. Many were detained outside the Brooklyn Center police station where Tuesday’s protests also occurred.

Brooklyn Center police pulled Wright over Sunday afternoon for a minor traffic violation.

In a brief clip of Potter’s body-cam video released to the public, a fellow officer is seen trying to handcuff Wright after the traffic stop turned up a warrant for his arrest related to a misdemeanor gun charge.

Demonstrators march Tuesday outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department.
Demonstrators march Tuesday outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department.


Demonstrators march Tuesday outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department. (John Minchillo/)

In the video, Potter is seen aiming her gun at Wright and shouting, “Taser! Taser! Taser!” as Wright tries to get back into his vehicle. She then fires once and says, “S--t, I just shot him.”

Wright was pronounced dead after crashing his vehicle several blocks away.

Potter and Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon both resigned Tuesday. Potter is expected to face criminal charges.

Wright was killed about 10 miles north of where Minneapolis police officers killed George Floyd on May 25, 2020.

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