The police chief on Monday defended the killing of a 20-year-old by an officer on Sunday as a fatal mistake.
Daunte Wright, 20, was shot after the officer meant to use a Taser, but mistakenly drew her gun instead, Chief Tim Gannon told reporters on Monday.
The officer, who committed the fatal mistake, was later named as Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of Brooklyn Center Police.
Wright’s death has sparked protests and a curfew has been declared.
Late on Monday, crowds defied the curfew to gather for a second night outside Brooklyn Center Police headquarters. Witnesses said some threw fireworks and bottles at officers who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
Tensions in nearby Minneapolis are high as the trial of an ex-officer accused of killing George Floyd continues.
Chief Gannon played a short video at a news conference from the body camera worn by a policewoman, which shows Wright trying to get back into his car as officers attempt to handcuff him on the side of the road.
An officer can be heard saying “Taser, Taser, Taser”.
Wright is seen to get into his car and drive away, while the same officer says “I just shot him”.
Chief Gannon said he believed the officer meant to deploy the Taser but shot him with a single bullet.
“There’s nothing I can say to lessen the pain,” he added.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave.
At the same news conference, Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott said he would do everything in his power to “ensure justice is done for Daunte Wright”.
