President Joe Biden has called for "peace and calm" after Daunte Wright's death at the hands of Minnesota police.
In his first remarks about the 20-year-old Black man shot dead on Sunday by police amid a traffic stop, the president maintained on Monday that the tragedy did not justify looting or violence.
Per CNN, Biden said he would wait for the outcome of an investigation into the fatal encounter before ascertaining what the officer's intentions were. The 78-year-old also explained that he had viewed the body camera footage of the traffic stop.
He said during his address: "It's really a tragic thing that happened, but I think we've got to wait and see what the investigation shows - the entire investigation. You've all watched, I assume, as I did, the film, which is really the body cam, which is fairly graphic.
Watch Biden's comments on the fatal incident below:"Question is - was it an accident? Was it intentional? That remains to be determined by a full-blown investigation."
The president also shared with the nation that he has spoken with authorities in Minnesota about the shooting, as well as Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott. Biden did state, however, that he had not contacted Wright's family.
He went on to urge Americans not to engage in looting or violence of any kind in response to the recent killing.
Biden said: "But in the meantime, I want to make it clear again, there is absolutely no justification - none - for looting. No justification for violence. Peaceful protest - understandable.
"And the fact is that, you know, we do know that the anger, pain and trauma that exists in the Black community in that environment is real. It's serious and it's consequential. But it will not justify violence and/or looting.
"In the meantime, I'm calling for peace and calm. And we should listen to Daunte's mom, who is calling for peace and calm."
Biden also took to Twitter, where he wrote:
"Today I’m thinking about Daunte Wright and his family — and the pain, anger, and trauma that Black America experiences every day.
"While we await a full investigation, we know what we need to do to move forward: rebuild trust and ensure accountability so no one is above the law."
Police have said, per CNN, that they attempted to take Wright, who had been driving, into custody as he appeared to have an outstanding warrant.
However, when he got back into his vehicle, an officer shot him. Police also stated that he drove a number of blocks before hitting another vehicle
Body camera footage shows Wright getting out of his car before getting back in.
Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon said the video appears to show Wright trying to flee. Gannon also said an officer can be heard shouting "Taser!" but instead firing her handgun.
