“Oh shit, I shot him” … The policewoman would have confused her Taser with her pistol



Brooklyn Center police in Minneapolis killed African-American judge Daunte Wright on April 11, 2021. – Police

Calls for calm, curfews, National Guard soldiers: US authorities tighten security in Minneapolis to prevent the city from igniting after the death of a young African American gunned down by police in the midst of Derek’s trial Chauvin, on trial for the murder of George Floyd. Police released images of the intervention (be careful, they are shocking). And pleads for an “accidental discharge”, with a policewoman who would have confused her handgun with her Taser.

What happened ?

Daunte Wright, 20, was killed “by accident” on Sunday while driving in Brooklyn Center, a suburb of Minneapolis, local police chief Tim Gannon told a press conference. During a banal police check, linked to invalid license plates, the police realize that the young man is the subject of an arrest warrant. While they are handcuffing him, Daunte Wright, standing in front of the driver’s door, suddenly tries to get back behind the wheel to escape.

Two officers wrestle with him for ten seconds. “I’m going to Taser you,” the policewoman warns first, but pulls out her pistol in the process. “I’m going to Taser you,” she repeats, before shouting, “Taser, Taser, Taser!” To announce a discharge. But she actually fires her gun once and then immediately shouts, “Oh shit, I shot him”.

Everything goes very fast, in a few seconds. But in theory, the police should carry their weapon on the side of their dominant hand, and their Taser on the other. Not to mention that there are glaring differences: a Taser is fluorescent yellow and weighs four times less than a loaded Glock (250 grams against nearly a kilo)

Minneapolis Under Power

“The peaceful protests are understandable” after the “tragic” death of Daunte Wright, commented Democratic President Joe Biden, saying he is aware of “the anger, the pain, the suffering that exist in black people”. But “there is absolutely no justification” for the violence, he added, calling on the population of this large city in the north of the United States to remain calm.

The mayors of the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have declared a state of emergency and declared a curfew from 7 p.m. to prevent any overflow, after a night of protests peppered with looting and scuffles.

Derek Chauvin’s trial continues

This drama rekindled anger in Minneapolis, which had seen several nights of riots after the death of George Floyd on May 25 under the knee of white policeman Derek Chauvin. In this tense climate, Derek Chauvin’s lawyer on Monday morning asked Judge Peter Cahill to immediately place the jurors on the sidelines to prevent them from being pressured.

“I understand that there is civil unrest” but “I do not believe that this is a cause for further concern”, replied the magistrate. A cardiologist certified that George Floyd did not die of an overdose or a heart attack, and the victim’s brother, Philonise Floyd, gave emotional testimony. The rest of the week should be reserved for defense witnesses, with closing arguments next Monday and deliberations expected in stride.





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