GNB Desk- On Sunday, a police officer shot and killed a Black man during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb, sparking a short-lived clash between police and social justice activists several hours later.
A crowd began to gather at the crash scene later on Sunday afternoon. Just after 6 p.m., protesters tore down crime scene tape, with the crowd and the victim’s family demanding answers from law enforcement.
According to a video posted on Twitter by Kare11’s reporter Chris Hrapsky, A woman who said she’s the driver’s mother, Katie Wright, told the crowd her son — 20-year-old Daunte Wright — was the man who was shot. She said Wright’s girlfriend was in the car with him during the traffic stop. Police said the woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash and was taken to a hospital.
Authorities said the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the man who was killed after a preliminary autopsy and notification of his family.
Police deployed tear gas and flash-bang grenades Sunday night to clear protesters who gathered outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department.
Wright, who was identified by family members, was stopped by police at around 2 p.m. as he was driving in a residential neighborhood.
According to a news release issued by the Brooklyn Center Police Department, officers executing a traffic stop just before 2 p.m. learned that the driver had an outstanding warrant. As officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, the driver re-entered his vehicle, and one of the officers fired their weapon, striking the driver.
Brooklyn Center police said in a news release its officers wear body cameras, and that the department believes both body cameras and squad cameras were activated at the time of the shooting.
People began streaming to the scene, joined by Wright’s family, as tensions kept rising throughout the afternoon and evening.
At about 11:30 p.m., Brooklyn Center police declared the crowd an unlawful assembly and said anyone who remained at the scene — including journalists — would be arrested.
Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott issued a curfew order until 6 a.m. Monday. Precautions were being taken into Monday, with Brooklyn Center canceling or closing all school buildings, programs and activities.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation. As Mayor, I am imposing a curfew in the City Of Brooklyn Center. The curfew will be in place until 6am on Monday April 12, 2021. We want to make sure everyone is safe. Please be safe and please go home”, Mayor Elliott said in a tweet.
“Our entire community is filled with grief following today’s officer-involved shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20 year old young man. Our hearts are with his family, and with all those in our community impacted by this tragedy,” Mayor Elliott said. “While we await additional information from the BCA who is leading the investigation, we continue to ask that members of our community gathering do so peacefully, amid our calls for transparency and accountability.”
Minnesota National Guard personnel were seen in the area of the police station, on Humboldt Avenue north of Interstate 94, local media reported.
At about the same time, MPR News says its reporter witnessed stores being damaged and some looting underway at the Shingle Creek Crossing shopping center and nearby stores in Brooklyn Center.
There also were police scanner reports of sporadic looting and property damage in Minneapolis in the early morning hours Monday, prompting a large law enforcement response, local media reports.
Brooklyn Center Community Schools Superintendent Carly Baker said in a statement “We are focused on taking steps in the moment. I haven’t entirely processed the tragedy that took place in our community and I’m prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our students, families, staff members and community members.” “We know our community experienced trauma and we need the time and space to process.”
(With inputs from agencies)
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
