Dear St. Olaf Community,

On the afternoon of April 11, 2021, Daunte Wright was shot and killed by a police officer in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center during a traffic stop related to Wright’s expired registration tags. Officer Kimberly Potter, who said she intended to fire her Taser but instead fired her gun, was charged with first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter. Today, after 4 days of deliberation, a jury found Potter guilty of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter.

This decision, coming as we head out to spend time with families and celebrate the holidays, impacts our communities, especially our Black and African American communities, since Daunte Wright was killed in our own backyard. This verdict will continue to create change in our justice system to improve accountability and move forward the anti-racist dialogue. But it does not bring back the life of Mr. Wright or erase  the impact his murder had on his family and community.

As we head out on break, do not forget that there are resources and people who can support you while you process this news.