BROOKLYN CENTER, Minneapolis (AP) – A black man has been killed after being killed by police in a Minneapolis suburb during a traffic stop and crashing his car several blocks away, sparking violent protests that lasted early. of Monday when riot police officers clashed with protesters and the man’s mother called for calm.
The man was identified by the family as 20-year-old Daunte Wright, and died Sunday in a metropolitan area that was already on the verge and halfway through the trial of the first of four police officers charged with George Floyd’s death. .. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz responded on Twitter praying for Wright’s family “as our state mourns another life of a black man taken prisoner by law enforcement.”
Speaking before the Brooklyn Center clash between protesters and law enforcement, Daunte’s mother, Katie Wright, tried to stem any unrest.
“All violence, if it continues, will only be about violence. We need it to be about why my son was shot for no reason, ”he told a crowd near the shooting scene.“ We need to make sure it’s about him and not breaking cars. from the police, because that won’t get my son back. “
Police did not immediately identify Wright, but protesters who gathered near the site waved flags and placards that said “Black life matters.” Others walked peacefully with their hands raised. On a street, written in multicolored chalk: “Justice for Daunte Wright.”
Brooklyn Center police said in a statement that officers had arrested a motorcyclist shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday. After determining that the driver had a pending order, police attempted to arrest the driver. The driver re-entered the vehicle and an officer fired at the vehicle, striking it, police said. The vehicle traveled several blocks before hitting another vehicle.
The story of the Wright family shooting differed, Katie Wright said she was shot before returning to the car.
Police said the Hennepin County Medical Office will release the person’s name after a preliminary autopsy and a family notification. A female passenger suffered non-fatal injuries during the crash. The Brooklyn Center is a city of about 30,000 people located on the northwestern border of Minneapolis.
Katie Wright said the passenger was her son’s girlfriend. Wright said her son called her while he was being attracted.
“All he did was have air fresheners in the car and they told him to get out of the car,” Wright said. During the call, he said he heard beetles and then someone saying “Daunte, don’t run” before the call ended. When he called again, his son’s girlfriend answered and said he had been shot.
Protesters gathered shortly after the shooting and crash, some jumping over police cars and clashing with officers. Dealers also descended on the Brooklyn Center police department building, where rocks and other objects were thrown at officers, Minnesota Department of Public Safety commissioner John Harrington said at a news conference. Protesters had largely dispersed at 1:15 a.m. Monday, he said.
Harrington said about 20 businesses had broken into the city’s Shingle Creek Mall. He said police agencies were coordinating to domesticate the riots and the National Guard was activated.
Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott announced a curfew in the city that expired at 6 a.m. Monday. In a tweet he said: “We want to make sure everyone is safe. Please be safe and go home. “
Police said Brooklyn Center officers carry body-worn cameras and also believe script cameras were activated during the incident. The department said it has asked the Criminal Detention Office to investigate.
The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer charged with Floyd’s death, was scheduled to continue. Monday. Floyd, a black man, died on May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck. Prosecutors say Floyd was set for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
Harrington said more National Guard members and state police personnel would be deployed around the Twin Cities and the Brooklyn Center, in addition to the staff that already existed for Chauvin’s trial.
Meanwhile, all Brooklyn Center students will be instructed online Monday because school buildings will be closed, said Carly Baker, superintendent of Brooklyn Center community schools.
“We are focused on taking steps right now. I have not fully processed the tragedy that took place in our community and I prioritize the safety and well-being of our students, families, staff and community members, ”Baker said.“ We know our community has experienced a trauma and we need time and space to process “.