American Academy of Pediatrics Statement on Death of Daunte Wright

Statement from Lee Savio Beers, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics 

“Our hearts go out to the family and community of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old father who was killed Sunday by police in a Minneapolis suburb. Happening just miles away from the trial over the police killing of George Floyd, and in the wake of other deaths of Black men and women at the hands of police, Mr. Wright’s death is weighing heavily on his community, which has already endured much pain and anguish.  

“Pediatricians often care for patients who are the same age as Mr. Wright. And we know the tragedy of his death reverberates not just among those who knew him, but among many young men and women of color, and their families, who fear their communities are not safe places for them to live and grow. This is a terrible burden to place upon a young person. If your child or teen is expressing anxiety, stress or depression, talk with your pediatrician about how you can access additional support.  

“The American Academy of Pediatrics is dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of all children, adolescents and young adults. And so we must advocate at all levels of government for social justice and equitable policies that will keep all children and families safe, and allow them to thrive.” 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.