Minnesota state prosecutors charged former police officer Kim Potter with second-degree manslaughter Wednesday for shooting and killing young African American man Daunte Wright.
Potter, 48, resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Department Tuesday in the midst of protests and demonstrations over Wright's death.
"Kimberly Ann Potter caused the death of Daunte Demetrius Wright, by her culpable negligence, whereby Kimberly Potter created an unreasonable risk and consciously took a chance of causing death or great bodily harm to ... Wright," state prosecutors told the court Wednesday.
Wright, 20, was detained by Potter during a roadside stop Sunday when a search for car tags revealed he was wanted on an outstanding warrant. After the young man attempted to flee, she fired at Wright with her gun, leaving him fatally wounded.
The 26-year police veteran claims she meant to reach for her Taser and mistakenly grabbed the gun, a mishap many people are struggling to find credible.
Law enforcement have cracked down on nighttime demonstrations outside local police headquarters in protest of Wright's death, with more than 70 arrests since Sunday and a 10 pm curfew going into effect Wednesday as well as National Guard deployment across the city.
Despite the manslaughter charge, Potter remains eligible to receive a pension from her career in the police force.
"Ms. Potter continues to qualify for her pension earned as an officer with the Brooklyn Center Police Department," state retirement fund executive director Doug Anderson said.
Her resignation over Wright's death is considered early retirement and means Potter will receive a somewhat reduced monthly benefit.
