AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
- Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed grief at the police killing of Daunte Wright.
- Obama called for a full investigation and made a plea to "reimagine policing."
- Wright was killed on Sunday during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, a suburb of Minneapolis.
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Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed grief at the police killing of a 20-year old Black man, Daunte Wright in Minnesota, while also calling for a full investigation and making a plea to "reimagine policing."
In a statement, Obama connected Wright's death to that of George Floyd, who was killed at the hands of Minneapolis police last year.
"Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police," he said. "The fact that this could happen even as the city of Minneapolis is going through the trial of Derek Chauvin and reliving the heart-wrenching murder of George Floyd indicates not just how important it is to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but also just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country."
Derek Chauvin, the officer seen most prominently in videos pinning Floyd to the ground, is currently on trial facing charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Obama said that he and former first lady Michelle Obama were thinking of the Wright family during this time.
"Michelle and I grieve alongside the Wright family for their loss," he continued. "We empathize with the pain that Black mothers, fathers, and children are feeling after yet another senseless tragedy. And we will continue to work with all fair-minded Americans to confront historical inequities and bring about nationwide changes that are so long overdue."
Wright was killed on Sunday during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, a suburb of Minneapolis, at about 2 p.m.
The police officer who fatally shot Wright has been identified as Kimberly A. Potter, the Minnesota Star Tribune first reported.
On Monday, Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon said during a press conference said that the officer meant to use their Taser but used their gun instead, in what was described as an "accidental discharge."
During the press conference, Potter had not yet been identified as the officer involved in the fatal shooting.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension later released a statement identifying Potter as the officer who discharged her weapon.
"Officer Kim Potter has been with the Brooklyn Center Police Department for 26 years," the public safety department said in a statement. "She is on standard administrative leave. Further personnel data are not public from the BCA under Minnesota law during an active investigation."