MINNEAPOLIS — Ex-Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon has sued city officials, alleging that he was forced to resign for his refusal to immediately fire the police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright during an April 2021 traffic stop.
Gannon alleges in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court that his decision to protect ex-officer Kim Potter's procedural rights granted under her contract led to city officials forcing him to resign. He said he was ousted in retaliation for and discrimination against his Caucasian race.
On April 11, 2021, Potter pulled over Wright for a minor traffic violation. Moments later, the 20-year-old, unarmed Black man resisted arrest and attempted to drive away. Potter shot him, and said she mistook her gun as a Taser. The police shooting — in the midst of ex-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin's trial for the murder of George Floyd — sparked days of violent protests outside the police station.
