Share this @internewscast.com

The Minnesota police chief who oversaw an officer who fatally shot a Black man during a traffic stop on Sunday has resigned.

Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon stepped down Tuesday, the city’s mayor announced.

Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, who was placed on administrative leave after fatally shooting 20-year-old Daunte Wright during the traffic stop, also resigned.

Gannon said at a news conference on Monday that he believed Potter meant to fire a Taser stun gun at Wright, but shot him with her firearm instead. 

Now-former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon, seen at a press conference on Monday, said he believes the officer who fa



Now-former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon, seen at a press conference on Monday, said he believes the officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright meant to fire a Taser at him.

Wright was pulled over for what authorities said was a traffic violation. During a struggle captured on police bodycam video, Potter, a 26-year veteran of the force, drew a weapon and yelled “Taser, Taser, Taser.” She fired one round, then cried, “Holy shit, I just shot him.”

“It is my belief that the officer had the intention to deploy their Taser, but instead shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet,” Gannon said at the news conference. “This appears to me, from what I viewed and the officer’s reaction in distress immediately after, that this was an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wright.”

Tony Gruenig, a senior police commander, was named as Gannon’s replacement.

While announcing Gruenig’s appointment, Mayor Mike Elliott said Gruenig, “more than any other person in the department, has a very strong commitment to working directly with the community to help resolve issues. He’s done that throughout his career, that is why he is the right person to step forward and take on this role at this time.”

Gruenig said he had no immediate plans for reforms.

“I’ll work on a plan,” he said at the press conference. “I can talk to the community members and see where they would like to, the direction they would like to go, but I was appointed the chief an hour ago. I don’t have a comprehensive strategy to look internally, to look externally.”

Elliott said he has asked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) to reassign Wright’s case to the office of the attorney general to “ensure transparency and to continue building trust in our community.”

The resignations follow the city council’s vote on Monday to fire City Manager Curt Boganey, who was in charge of police personnel. The mayor’s office took over those duties. 

Source: huffpost

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Court Rejects GOP Challenge in Mail-In Ballot Case

Then-former President Donald Trump sits in a courtroom beside his lawyer Emil…

Woman Claims Self-Defense in Killing Ex-Boyfriend’s New Partner

Inset: Kayla Hodgson (GoFundMe). Background: Sakiyna Thompson testifies in her own defense…

Investigation Launched Following Stabbing Death in Perth Home

A man has been stabbed to death in his northern Perth home…

Driver Sentenced After Fatal Crash During Police Chase, Resulting in 3 Deaths

Background: News footage of Luis Leyba-Gonzalez leaving court (WTHR). Inset: Makayla Hankins…

Ex-Judge Accused of Sending Threatening Texts to Wife and Friend

Share copy link Background: East Ridge City Hall in East Ridge, Tenn.…

Man on Pre-Trial Release Arrested for Holding Woman Against Her Will in Hotel Room Despite Police Attempts to Access

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This morning, 50-year-old Ashley Galen Powers was…

Florida Woman Could Receive Death Penalty Over Videos Involving Child and Family Pet

A Florida woman was arrested on Monday for forcing her 11-year-old daughter…

Daycare Employee Accused of Mistreating Disabled Child, Age 11

Inset: Kaitlyn Pitzer (Hernando County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The daycare center where…

Former Senator Linda Reynolds Initiates Bankruptcy Proceedings Against Brittany Higgins

Brittany Higgins has been dealt another financial blow after her former boss…

Mother Overdoses, Accidentally Drops Her 5-Day-Old Newborn

Background: Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, Wisconsin (Google Maps). Insets display Janet…

Kentucky Elementary School Teacher Arrested for Alleged Sexual Abuse of 10-Year-Old Girl

A Kentucky teacher is facing charges after police say he sexually abused…

Man on Probation Taken into Custody for Assaulting a Friend

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early this morning, Lawrence Bradley III, aged…