Police in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, declared a demonstration over the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright to be an “unlawful assembly” on Tuesday night.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside of the Brooklyn Center Police Department, outside of which barriers and fencing have been set up, for a third evening in a row.
Law enforcement used pepper spray and fired flash bombs to disperse the crowd after the unlawful assembly was declared nearly an hour and a half before a pre-scheduled city curfew was set to go into effect at 10 p.m. local time.
In the light snow, crowds gather in Brooklyn Center, Mn for third night of protests over killing of #DuanteWright. An unlawful assembly was declared outside Brooklyn Center PD. Police pepper-sprayed protesters behind a chain-link fence after bottles were thrown at officers. pic.twitter.com/duLjytnMH2
— Michael Pegram (@MichaelNBC12) April 14, 2021
In one video, shared by Daily Caller chief video director Richie McGinniss, law enforcement can be heard over a loudspeaker telling people to “immediately disperse.” Video from the journalist also shows fireworks going off in the area.
Just arrived on the scene at the police station in Brooklyn Center and an unlawful assembly has already been declared pic.twitter.com/F2M6rv4wWn
— Richie?McG? (@RichieMcGinniss) April 14, 2021
A group of individuals who were kneeling was rushed and detained by police, McGinniss said in another tweet.
This group was quickly rushed by police and then detained pic.twitter.com/NTyEKnHK59
— Richie?McG? (@RichieMcGinniss) April 14, 2021
Lauren Blanchard, a Fox News correspondent, posted on Twitter that police were warning the media to leave the area, as well. She said they observed multiple armed protesters.
Situation growing worse in Brooklyn Center, MN police pushing people out with flash bangs now. My crew has evacuated. Moments after this crowds began to rush and police warned media they needed to evacuate too. We saw multiple armed protesters pic.twitter.com/hcqEwKtSrp
— Lauren Blanchard (@LaurenBlanch12) April 14, 2021
Wright, a 20-year-old black man, was killed in a police-involved shooting during a traffic stop on Sunday.
The officer who shot and killed Wright, identified by police as Kim Potter, shot her handgun when she meant to use a Taser in what Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon dubbed an “accidental” shooting.
The Hennepin County medical examiner released its autopsy report in the case on Monday, which said that Wright, who crashed into another car several blocks away, “died of a gunshot wound of the chest and manner of death is homicide.” An investigation was being led by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
WHO IS MIKE ELLIOTT, MAYOR OF BROOKLYN CENTER?
Potter, a 26-year veteran of the force, resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Department on Tuesday, and Gannon followed with his own resignation. Gannon was replaced by Tony Gruenig as acting chief.
“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 said upon resigning.
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The Washington County Attorney’s Office is planning on charging Potter on Wednesday, sources told Minnesota’s ABC 5.
Less than 10 miles away from Brooklyn Center, the trial for Derek Chauvin, the former officer accused of killing George Floyd, continued on Tuesday. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of third-degree murder, second-degree murder, and manslaughter charges. Minnesota prosecutors concluded their case on Tuesday, allowing the defense team to call its first witness to the stand after 11 days of testimony.
