Girlfriend of Daunte Wright sues Brooklyn Center and former police officer Kimberly Potter

The girlfriend of Daunte Wright is suing the City of Brooklyn Center and former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter, claiming she suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of his killing.

Alayna Albrecht-Payton filed the lawsuit in Hennepin county on Friday, court records show. She was in the passenger seat with Wright on the day he was shot and killed.

Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter shot and killed Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop on Apr. 11, 2021. Wright was pulled over because of expired license plate tabs, and officers discovered Wright had a warrant out for his arrest once they ran his name in the system.

While Potter was trying to put Wright in handcuffs, body camera footage shows Wright trying to get back in his car. At that point, Potter drew her firearm, pointed it at Wright, and shot once.

Potter was convicted of first-degree manslaughter in December as a result of the shooting. Albrecht-Payton was a witness who testified during Potter’s criminal trial.

The lawsuit claims that Albrecht-Payton was injured in the vehicle crash that occurred immediately after Wright was shot, and that she tried applying pressure to Wright’s gunshot wound to stop the bleeding.

“She recalls that he was slumped back in his seat, unable to move or respond to her,” the complaint says.

Wright was pronounced dead at the scene.

RELATED: Full Potter trial coverage

The lawsuit says Albrecht-Payton suffered a concussion, facial lacerations, swelling, and a broken jaw. She had to have surgery to repair the jaw, which included wiring her mouth shut for two weeks and require a liquid diet.

Albrecht-Payton also suffered emotional distress, including being “diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder,” the lawsuit claims.

RELATED: Brooklyn Center to pay $3.25M to Daunte Wright’s family in wrongful death settlement

“The shooting and the injuries Alayna sustained as a result have significantly impacted Alayn’s normal daily living and enjoyment of life. Alayna continues to experience stress and anxiety regarding interactions with the police. she feels heightened nervousness around law-enforcement officials and fears being the target of future police violence.”

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to the city of Brooklyn Center for a comment on the lawsuit and is awaiting a response.