Live coverage of Daunte Wright’s funeral in Minneapolis
Daunte Wright’s funeral has begun at a church in Minneapolis, just less than two weeks after he was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop.
Mr Wright, an unarmed 20-year-old Black man and a father of a 2-year-old, was fatally shot by officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop last week, where authorities say she mistakenly fired her gun thinking it was her Taser. She has since resigned and been charged with manslaughter.
The killing sparked protests in Minneapolis as it came amid the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted on Tuesday of murdering unarmed Black man George Floyd last May.
Further protests have been seen in the US this week following the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, who was killed by police after lunging at two people with a knife on Tuesday.
Following protests on outside of the Columbus police headquarters on Tuesday, around 100 demonstrators then took to the streets of the city on Wednesday, with many chanting: “Say her name. Ma’Khia Bryant.”
Read More:
- Funeral planned for Daunte Wright not even a year after George Floyd killing
- Derek Chauvin placed in solitary confinement at max security prison
- Police officer’s powerful TikTok on Daunte Wright goes viral
- How long will Derek Chauvin get in prison and what does the George Floyd verdict mean
Columbus police officer Nicholas Reardon was placed on leave after shooting the teenager. The Daily Beast reported that he previously received a marksman badge with a M4 Carbine rifle.
Meanwhile, heavily armed members of the Minnesota Freedom Fighters, a militia group, stood guard outside of the public viewing of Daunte Wright on Wednesday, ahead of his funeral on Thursday.
Hundreds of mourners visited Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis on Wednesday to view Mr Wright’s body while it lay in a white, open casket that was covered in red roses.
The Minnesota Freedom Fighters, which is a self-described elite security unit, was set up last summer during protests that followed the death of unarmed Black man George Floyd.
Mr Wright’s funeral will take place less than 48 hours after Chauvin’s guilty verdict, and the eulogy will be delivered by the Rev Al Sharpton, a civil rights icon.
Read The Independent’s updates and analysis below.
