The story follows the deadly traffic stop of Daunte Wright from beginning to end. Officers pulled him over for expired tags, discovered a warrant, and attempted to arrest him. When Wright pulled away and tried to reenter his vehicle, Officer Kim Potter shouted “Taser” but fired her handgun, striking him once. Wright drove off, crashed, and died within minutes. Potter’s body-camera footage captured her immediate realization that she had drawn the wrong weapon.

Investigators examined every aspect of the case—Potter’s training, weapon placement, body-camera footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence. They confirmed that Wright died from a single gunshot wound and studied whether the shooting met the legal standard for culpable negligence. Prosecutors ultimately charged Potter with second-degree manslaughter.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Potter’s actions created an unreasonable and deadly risk, while the defense called the shooting a tragic accident brought on by stress and confusion. After reviewing testimony, video, and expert analysis, the jury found Potter guilty. She was sentenced under Minnesota’s guidelines.

The aftermath extended far beyond the courtroom. Wright’s family mourned publicly and pursued civil claims. The community protested, demanded reform, and pushed for changes to traffic-stop policies. The case intensified national discussions about policing, accountability, and racial disparities, raising ongoing questions about how routine encounters can escalate and what must change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.