At least 60 protesters were arrested in Minnesota during a third night of violent demonstrations Tuesday — as the ex-cop who shot and killed Daunte Wright reportedly fled her heavily guarded home after her address was leaked online.
State Patrol Chief Matt Langer said early Wednesday that “upward” of 60 people were arrested for rioting and other crimes during the latest night of destruction in Brooklyn Center. More than 50 were collared Monday.
Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott blamed “outside elements” for planning to “show up to infiltrate peaceful protesters and cause mayhem,” saying, “Daunte Wright’s death will not be exploited.”
Some protesters also gathered outside the home of Kimberly Potter, the 26-year police veteran who resigned Tuesday for shooting Wright after apparently mistaking her gun for her Taser, the Daily Mail reported.
The 48-year-old ex-cop and married mom of two had already fled the home after finding out her address had been leaked on social media by activists, the Independent said.
But those arriving at the large new-build in Champlin, a town a few miles away from Brooklyn Center, were met by concrete barriers and metal fencing that were erected Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal said.
Inside the gates, police officers also guarded the house of Potter, who prosecutors say could be charged as early as Wednesday over the fatal arrest.
Tuesday night’s clashes came as an estimated 800 to 1,000 protesters gathered outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department headquarters, with many rattling a fence that was put up after protests started hours after Wright’s death Sunday, the Star Tribune said.
“Unfortunately again some citizens decided to come out and throw bricks and other items at law enforcement,” said Booker Hodges, assistant commissioner for the state Department of Public Safety. “This type of activity will not be tolerated.”
Some National Guard members were stationed on the roof, and others fired riot gas, projectiles and flash-bangs as they moved through the mob, the paper said.
A local resident stuck her head out her window and screamed that tear gas was wafting through her home with kids inside, the paper said.
Video captured by Fox 9 also showed a huge fire burning in the street. Unlike the previous two nights, there were no reports of widespread looting, however.
A neighbor of Potter’s told the WSJ that the situation has left the community on edge.
“We’re stressed, we’re nervous. I’ve been told some of the neighbors have left,” she said, adding that many feel for the officer. “It was a horrible situation. We also feel bad for Mr. Wright’s family.”
