Growing the Voices of Our Future
The Westside Gazette Newspaper is honored to feature these editorial contributions made by local students.
By Layla Davidson
On April 15, Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black male, was shot and killed by Minnesota police officer, Kim Potter, during an arrest attempt. The video of his killing surfaced in the media and showed that three officers in one car pulled Wright over because of a regular traffic violation that led to finding out that Wright had a warrant.
When this was brought to their attention, one of the male officers told him to get out of his car and he then tried to handcuff him. In this moment Wright was complying. However, while the officer was trying to arrest him, Kim Potter went to arrest him herself, a failed attempt because she loosened the grip the male officer had on Wright. This caused him to try to get back in his car and drive off. From there it escalated terribly.
There was a bit of a tussle with the male officer who originally tried to arrest him. The officer was trying to get Wright out of the car. Potter pulled out a gun and said, “I’m going to tase you; I’m going to tase you!” Then, shot him twice in the chest and then says, “F***, I shot him.” Wright was able to drive off a bit, before he unfortunately passed away.
While the altercation was going on, his girlfriend was in the backseat and he was on the phone with his mom. His mom and his girlfriend were the last people to be with him before he passed and they both watched his death.
Potter is now charged with manslaughter. Wright’s family believes that this charge is a “good initial step” towards justice.
“I thought it was my taser. I thought it was my apartment. I thought I saw him/her with a gun. I thought he was selling loosies. I thought she was there alone. I thought she was getting smart with me. Their thinking = terrorism for us and I’m tired.” Twitter quote from singer-songwriter, Sy Smith.
