MLB: Minnesota Twins postpone game against Red Sox following Duante Wright shooting

The Major League Baseball (MLB) team Minnesota Twins postponed their game against the Boston Red Sox, scheduled for Monday, on grounds of safety concerns, following the shooting of  Daunte Wright, a Black man by a police officer in the area and the potential for unrest surrounding the incident.

A four-game series between the sides were scheduled to begin on Monday afternoon at the Target Field, however, prior to the game, the Twins informed about their decision made in consultation with Major League Baseball and state and local officials.

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However, there is yet no clarity about the rescheduling of games set for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“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 Minnesota Twins organization extends its sympathies to the family of Daunte Wright,” the statement from Twins read.

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Duante Wright, a 20-year-old, was shot on Sunday by a traffic officer after being stopped at a signal in Brooklyn Center, a suburb adjacent to Minneapolis. The death sparked violent protests, with officers in riot gear clashing with demonstrators into Monday morning.

However, following the shooting, the Brooklyn Center police chief informed that the shooting was accidental, as the officer in question fired a handgun by mistake, instead of a stun gun, during a struggle with Wright. Police were trying to arrest him on an outstanding warrant.