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Kim Potter
Convicted Former Brooklyn Center Police Officer; Shot Daunte Wright
Veteran police officer convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting Daunte Wright during a traffic stop; claimed she mistook her gun for a taser
Overview
Kimberly Ann Potter was a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center; Minnesota Police Department who fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop on April 11, 2021. Wright was pulled over for expired registration tags; and officers discovered an outstanding warrant for a gross misdemeanor. When Wright attempted to pull away from officers trying to arrest him; Potter drew her firearm and shot him once in the chest while shouting "Taser! Taser! Taser!"; claiming she mistakenly drew her Glock 9mm handgun instead of her Taser. Body camera footage showed Potter displaying shock after the shooting; saying "I just shot him." Wright died at the scene. The shooting occurred during the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd; just 10 miles from the courthouse; triggering days of protests and a curfew in Brooklyn Center. Potter was convicted of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in December 2021 and sentenced to two years in prison; significantly below the sentencing guidelines of approximately seven years.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop; claimed she mistook her Glock 9mm handgun for her Taser despite 26 years of experience
Body camera footage showed Potter shouting "Taser! Taser! Taser!" while holding her firearm; then expressing shock after shooting Wright
Shooting occurred just 10 miles from the Derek Chauvin trial during the George Floyd murder case; triggering protests and curfews
Sentenced to only 2 years in prison; well below the sentencing guidelines of approximately 7 years; judge cited Potter's remorse and mistake defense
Wright was initially pulled over for expired registration and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror; the outstanding warrant was for a gross misdemeanor weapons charge
Brooklyn Center Police Department had no policy requiring officers to carry their Taser and firearm on opposite sides of the body
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
Minn. Stat. § 609.20(1)First-degree manslaughter; predicated on reckless handling/use of a firearm(Manslaughter)
Minn. Stat. § 609.205(1)Second-degree manslaughter; culpable negligence creating unreasonable risk(Manslaughter)
Known Associates & Connections
Derek Chauvin
Potter's shooting of Wright occurred during Chauvin's trial for murdering George Floyd; both cases in same Minneapolis metro area
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- Unknown
- Birthplace
- Minnesota, USA
Education
Key Timeline
1995
Joined Brooklyn Center Police Department
April 11, 2021
Fatally shoots Daunte Wright during traffic stop; claims taser/gun confusion
April 13, 2021
Resigns from Brooklyn Center Police Department
April 14, 2021
Charged with second-degree manslaughter
September 2021
First-degree manslaughter charge added
December 23, 2021
Convicted of both first-degree and second-degree manslaughter
February 18, 2022
Sentenced to 2 years (16 months executed) by Judge Regina Chu