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The US police officer who claimed to “accidentally” fire her gun instead of her taser at a 20-year-old black man, a shot that killed him, has been charged with manslaughter.
Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter was arrested on Wednesday morning, four days after the shooting, and charged with manslaughter.
She faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted of the charge, second-degree manslaughter.
Concrete blocks and fences were erected around Ms Potter’s family home, north of Brooklyn Center, with police vehicles patrolling the streets after protesters threatened to attack the property.
RELATED: Police officer who shot Daunte Wright identified
Daunte Wright, 20, had been pulled over for a routine traffic stop on Sunday when he began to scuffle with the police officers trying to arrest him.
Ms Potter grabbed her gun and fired a single shot at Mr Wright, who managed to drive away but crashed his car a short time later after dying from the wound.
Ms Potter, a 26-year police veteran, resigned after Mr Wright’s death.
Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon, who initially stood by Ms Potter and told reporters about her “accidentally” drawing her gun instead of her taser, also resigned.
Ms Potter was taken into custody at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the neighbouring city of St Paul.
“While we appreciate that the district attorney is pursuing justice for Daunte, no conviction can give the Wright family their loved one back,” said Mr Wright’s lawyer Ben Crump.
“This was no accident. This was an intentional, deliberate, and unlawful use of force.
“We will keep fighting for justice for Daunte, for his family, and for all marginalised people of colour.”
RELATED: Protests continue across the US after Daunte Wright shooting
Protests continue to rock Minneapolis
The shooting triggered massive protests across the Minnesota city of Minneapolis, less than half an hour from where George Floyd was killed, with the National Guard being called on and city officials implementing a night time curfew to try and calm the unrest.
Protesters continue to face off with police, with more than 60 people arrested on Tuesday night.
Riot police moved in to disperse several hundred demonstrators in Brooklyn Center, the suburb where Sunday’s shooting took place.
Officers deployed stun grenades while protesters responded by throwing objects including water bottles and bricks.
‘S**t, I just shot him’: Bodycam footage released
Body camera footage showed officers pulling Mr Wright out of his car after stopping him for a traffic violation and discovering he had an outstanding warrant.
When officers attempt to handcuff Mr Wright, he scuffles with them and gets back in the car. Ms Potter shouts, “Taser! Taser! Taser!” but a gunshot is then heard.
The local county lawyer said Ms Potter, 48, had pulled out her Glock 9mm handgun with her right hand.
After firing her gun, Ms Potter said, “Holy s**t, I just shot him.”
On Sunday, the region’s, now former, police chief stood by the police officer who fired the fatal shot, telling reporters she had accidentally confused her handgun with her taser.
“The officer drew their handgun instead of their taser,” Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon said at a press conference about Sunday’s fatal shooting of Mr Wright.
“This was an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr Wright.
“There is nothing I can say to lessen the pain of Mr Wright’s family.”
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