Mother of Amir Locke, Black man fatally shot by Minneapolis police: "He will get justice"
Attorneys for the family of Amir Locke, a Black man who was shot and killed by Minneapolis police this week as they executed a no-knock search warrant, called the death of the 22-year-old an unconscionable mistake on behalf of the city, particularly as Minnesota was one of many states that pledged to reduce or outright ban no-knock warrants after the death of Breonna Taylor in 2021.
"If we've learned anything from Breonna Taylor, it's that we know no-knock warrants have deadly consequences for Black American citizens," attorney Ben Crump said Friday.
Public information documents confirmed that Officer Mark Hanneman fatally shot Locke Wednesday morning, CBS Minneapolis reports, adding that police said a loaded handgun was recovered at the scene. A report released Friday from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office listed Locke's cause of death as homicide from multiple gunshot wounds.
Crump said "all available information reflects" that Locke was not the subject of the search warrant, which was in a homicide investigation. He said Locke legally possessed a fireman, and had no criminal history, calling the police reports following Locke's death an attempt to assassinate the late man's character.
Police shot Locke in under 10 seconds after entering his home, an error attorney Jeff Storms said would have doomed any gun owner to the same fate as Locke. "No lawful gun owner could have survived this situation," Storms said.
Mayor Jacob Frey announced late Friday that he has issued a moratorium on the request and execution of no-knock warrants in Minneapolis in response to Locke's death, according to a statement obtained by CBS Minnesota.
Andre and Karen Locke, Amir's parents, described their son as a respectful, inquisitive older brother to eight siblings, who wanted to be a part of the music industry and change lives. Andre also described his son as a deep sleeper and said he felt like police purposefully kicked the couch Amir was laying on to provoke a response. Both parents described their son's death as an execution.
"Amir didn't deserve what happened. Amir was surprised. Life was taken from him in an unjust way. My son was startled," Andre said. "Amir did what any law-abiding citizen would do to protect himself. Amir, we won't let this be swept under the rug."
Amir's mother Karen said Amir respected law enforcement and even had an officer close to the family as a mentor early on in life.
"Amir was loved by all, hated by none," Karen said. "We are going to make sure that we speak loudly for Amir. He will get justice."
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Friday that Attorney General Keith Ellison and his office would partner to review Locke's death.
"Amir Locke's life mattered. He was only 22 years old and had his whole life ahead of him. His family and friends must now live the rest of their lives without him," Ellison said in a statement Friday. "I promise the Locke family and all Minnesotans that we will work with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office to conduct a fair and thorough review of the BCA investigation and that we will be guided by the values of accountability and transparency."
Frey, the mayor, said body camera video that was released "raises about as many questions as it does answers," but said the city is pursuing answers "as quickly as possible and in transparent fashion. On Friday, Frey also praised Ellison's partnership with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.
"Attorney General Keith Ellison and County Attorney Mike Freeman are right to partner on, and commit to, a thorough review of the tragic death of Amir Locke," Frey said.
Contributing: The Associated Press