Barack Obama addressed the recent fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright and called his death a “senseless tragedy.”
On Tuesday (April 13), the former president took to Twitter to share his statement on the incident. “Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police,” his statement read. “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.”
“Michelle and I grieve alongside the Wright family for their loss,” the statement 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.”
Obama also shared a link to his website so people can have access to additional resources and learn more about the issues affecting this country.
On Sunday (April 11), Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by Kim Potter, a Brooklyn Center police officer. During a press conference on Monday (April 12), Police Chief Tim Gannon described the shooting as “an accidental discharge” and said Potter meant to fire her taser instead of her firearm. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Wright’s death a homicide.
On Tuesday (April 13), Potter wrote a resignation letter to the mayor and police chief. “I am tendering my resignation from the Brooklyn Center Police Department effective immediately,” she wrote. “I have loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability, but I believe it is in the best interest of the community, the department and my fellow officers if I resign immediately.”
Check out Obama’s full statement below.