Daunte Wright death: Family has reached $3.25 million settlement with Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, in his fatal shooting with police
The sum is part of a settlement agreement the family reached with the city, which also agreed to make changes to its police policies and training, the Wright family’s legal team said. in a press release.
“This settlement will not be finalized until an agreement is also reached on substantial and meaningful non-monetary relief,” the attorneys wrote in the press release.
The changes are expected to include training on police intervention, implicit bias, confusion of arms, de-escalation as well as how to handle situations arising in mental health crises, the lawyers explained.
CNN has reached out to the city to comment on the settlement.
Wright’s shooting came amid the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder in the May 2020 killing of George Floyd.
The settlement in Wright’s case also provides training related to traffic stops for equipment violations that do not interfere with the safety of the driver, passenger or community members, according to family attorneys.
“There is no real justice for the Wrights because Daunte never comes home,” co-lawyer Jeff Storms said in the statement. “A guiding principle of our efforts was to strike a balance between holding Brooklyn Center accountable, without undermining the city’s financial stability or limiting the services it provides.”
Also as part of the settlement, a permanent memorial for Wright will be built at the existing Daunte Wright memorial, according to the legal team.
The officer said she mistook the gun for the Taser
Shortly after Wright’s death, the Central Brooklyn Police Department released video of the unfolding traffic stop.
Potter can be heard repeatedly shouting “Taser” before shooting Wright with his handgun.
“Holy shit! I just shot him,” she said in the video, adding, “I grabbed the wrong fuckin’ gun, and I shot him.”
Potter resigned from the police department days after the shooting.
During the trial, Potter said, “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
“I was very upset. I just shot someone. I’m sorry that happened,” she said after a prosecutor questioned her about her behavior after the shooting. “I am really sorry.”
Prosecutors argued that “accidents” can be crimes if they occur due to “recklessness or culpable negligence”.
Potter must serve two-thirds of his two-year prison sentence, or 16 months, according to state law. With good behavior, she could be eligible for supervised release for the remaining third.
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