PROTESTERS defied a curfew in a second night of protests in the US city of Minneapolis after the police shooting of a young black man who had been pulled over for having air fresheners attached to his rear-view mirror.

Police again fired tear gas and flash bombs into crowds gathered in the Brooklyn Center district as tensions continue to run high.

Footage has emerged of the officer who fired the fatal shot at Daunte Wright, named as Kim Potter, saying: “Shit, I just shot him,” apparently instead of firing a Taser.

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliot told a news conference that he would do everything in his power to ensure justice is done.

“Our hearts are aching right now, we are in pain right now. We recognise this couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

“This is happening at a time that all of our community, all of America, indeed all of the world is watching,” he said.

The trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd last May continues in the city.

Mr Wright’s mother, Katie, said on Monday: “He was my life, he was my son and I can never get that back. Because of a mistake? Because of an accident?”