The Minnesota National Guard is prepared to assist the city of Brooklyn Center if “they are needed” regarding any reaction during the trial of former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter, who faces manslaughter charges over the shooting death of Daunte Wright following a traffic stop in April.
“The Minnesota National Guard has units that are trained and have been identified to be a reaction force in the event they are needed to protect lives, preserve property, and ensure people’s rights to protest peacefully,” Army Col. Scott Rohweder, director of operations, shared with Fox News in a written statement on Thursday.
Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz announced on Wednesday the preparation of Guard personnel for the trial following a request made by the City of Brooklyn Center and Hennepin County.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are prepared to ask members of the Minnesota National Guard to be available to support local law enforcement with the mission of allowing for peaceful demonstrations, keeping the peace, and ensuring public safety,” Walz said in a statement, according to KDUZ-TV.
The statement noted that the Minnesota National Guard “will not be proactively assuming posts throughout the Twin Cities. Should they be needed, Guard members will operate in support of local law enforcement.”
“The state will provide additional law enforcement resources, including the Minnesota State Patrol if a coordinated response to aid local law enforcement is necessary,” the statement continued.
Potter faces first and second-degree manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Wright. The former officer has claimed she meant to grab her taser to keep Wright from fleeing during a traffic stop, but instead drew her handgun and fired a round into his chest.
“I THINK IF HE WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO DIRECTIONS, HE WOULD STILL BE WITH US” Juror #5 responding to Q’s abt #DaunteWright case. Construction worker, assistant youth hockey coach bounced for cause. Back in session w/ Juror #6, a woman who lost a daughter 2 years ago. #KimPotter pic.twitter.com/s9ODirU58S
— Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) November 30, 2021
The Daily Wire’s Tim Pearce previously reported that Potter does plan to testify during the case:
Potter’s defense attorney Paul Engh said during jury selection on Tuesday that his client would take the stand during her trial to testify in her own defense over the events of April 11. Potter is facing charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter after she shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop.
“OFFICER POTTER WILL TESTIFY” Defense atty Paul Engh just assured Juror #6, his client #KimPotter will testify in her own defense abt what happened during deadly traffic stop encounter w/ #DaunteWright. Engh says whole thing “happened in 12 seconds,” Fox 9 reporter Paul Blume tweeted.
Video of the traffic stop shows Wright struggling with officers as they attempt to cuff him:
Wright slips an officer’s grip and gets back into his car. Potter then shoots Wright once after yelling, “taser!” Former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon, who along with Potter resigned after the incident, said that the shooting was accidental and that Potter believed she held her taser when she shot Wright.
Kim Potter, the police officer who resigned after shooting Daunte Wright, is facing first and second-degree manslaughter charges.https://t.co/SjTA4BNAMP pic.twitter.com/dgiYQPkLaR
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 30, 2021