Police release bodycam footage from officer involved shooting in Minnesota

The Brooklyn Center Police Department in Minnesota on Monday released body camera footage of the officer-involved shooting that left 20-year-old Daunte Wright dead and ignited protests over the weekend.

The city’s police chief, Tim Gannon, said that the officer meant to fire a stun gun, not a handgun, while speaking about the incident at a news conference on Monday.

In the released footage, two officers can be seen approaching Wright’s white sedan on both the driver and passenger side.

One of the officers is seen opening the driver’s side door of the vehicle and gesturing to Wright to exit before attempting to place him in handcuffs. It was discovered that there was an outstanding warrant for Wright’s arrest.

When the female officer, whose body camera footage is being played, grabs Wright by the arm, he appears to yank both his arms away from the officer and jump back into the vehicle.

The female officer then appears to shout, “Taze him!” multiple times after Wright is back in the driver’s seat. 

The officer points a gun at Wright as he grabs the steering wheel and shouts “Shit!” and then appears to drop her handgun.

“I just shot him,” the female officer is heard saying.

Wright only drove a short distance away before the vehicle crashed. He was declared dead soon after, the Star Tribune reported.

Gannon said during the news conference that he had ordered an investigation by The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) into the shooting and death of Wright.

“Once they are completed I expect they will submit their findings independent of me to the appropriate authorities, the appropriate attorneys that will look and review this case,” Gannon said. “I am also stressing that I do hope for the community to be patient and allow for this investigation, criminal investigation, to be completed as thoroughly as possible. I believe Mr. Wright deserves this as do all involved.”

The officer who shot Wright has been placed on administrative leave.

Wright’s death sparked protests in Minnesota on Sunday night. Hundreds of people gathered in Brooklyn Center, which is located north of Minneapolis where George Floyd was killed by former Officer Derek Chauvin nearly a year ago.

A curfew was put in place by Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott until 6 a.m. on Monday. 

“Our entire community is filled with grief following today’s officer-involved shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20 year old young man,” Elliott said. “Our hearts are with his family, and with all those in our community impacted by this tragedy.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said that he “closely monitoring the situation in Brooklyn Center.”

Floyd’s killing sparked nationwide protests and led to the high-profile trial of Chauvin that is ongoing. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the killing.