Update: Minnesota Timberwolves game against the Brooklyn Nets slated for Monday evening also postponed.
As the trial for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin continues in the Twin Cities, we’re hearing of yet another officer-involved shooting in the region.
Reports broke on Sunday that a Brooklyn Center police officer fatally shot a 20-year-old African-American man by the name of Daunte Wright in a traffic stop. Initially, those on hand to witness the incident indicated that Wright was shot as he drove away from the police officers who had stopped him.
On Monday, Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon indicated that it was an accidental shooting. In his statement, Gannon noted that the officer in question accidentally discharged her fire-arm when threatening Wright with a taser.
“There’s nothing I can say to lessen the pain that Mr. Wright’s family, friends, for the that feeling of loss that they must have,” the chief said, via CNN. “That pain is shared by the community and also all those involved in the incident.”
Given that we’re less than a year removed from an unarmed man by the name of George Floyd dying at the hands of the aforementioned Derek Chauvin, it’s safe to say things are volatile in the Minneapolis area. That includes the suburb of Brooklyn Center.
As for the sports world, teams and players have taken note. That includes the MLB’s Minnesota Twins postponing their game against the Boston Red Sox on Monday.
“Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following the additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today’s game,” the club announced in a statement.
There’s also talk that the Minnesota Timberwolves game against the Brooklyn Nets slated for Monday evening could be postponed.
It’s no surprise that the sports world is acting in this way. Following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor last year, MLB made it clear that it stands with Black Lives Matter. We also saw the NBA postpone playoff games in the Orlando bubble out of protest.