Protesters in Minnesota clashed with police on Monday evening after the police chief in Brooklyn Center said that the officer who shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop on Sunday meant to deploy a taser instead of her gun.
Hundreds of people flowed into the streets of the Minneapolis suburb to renew calls for police reform and an end to systemic racism in law enforcement. Tensions in the area and nation are already strained amid the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd.
Videos and photos taken during the protests late Monday show protesters marching, chanting and holding signs demanding justice for Wright’s death.
According to the Star Tribune, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and flash grenades to disperse the crowds. Protesters later responded by throwing water bottles and fireworks.
Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was killed after police in Brooklyn Park pulled him over for an expired license tag. Police said that after obtaining Wright’s identification during the stop, officers realized he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Body camera video released by the police department on Monday shows while officer attempted to take Wright into custody, he attempted to re-enter his car.
During a resulting struggle with Wright, an officer is seen on the video pulling a gun and firing a single shot into him. Wright drives off for a short distance, later crashing and dying from the gunshot wound.
“At such a tough time, this will streamline things and establish a chain of command and leadership,” Elliot said.
— Updated at 8 a.m.