Minnesota Democratic Politicians Respond to Death of Amir Locke

Hayley Feland

 

Democratic Minnesota politicians reacted to the death of Amir Locke who was shot by a police officer this week.

Locke died on Wednesday when police executed a no-knock warrant early in the morning at the Bolero Flats in Minneapolis due to an ongoing homicide investigation. The warrants were performed in a joint operation between Minneapolis and St. Paul police.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said, “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.”

Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) also tweeted out a statement, “The Minneapolis Police Department must immediately explain how it could have released an early statement that referred to Amir as a suspect four separate times, when he was not a suspect.”

She said, “Those of us who live in Minneapolis want to know when we will change the system that allows no-knock warrants (even though we were told they were banned).”

Governor Tim Walz (D) said he activated the National Guard in response to Locke’s death.

“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of Minnesotans, and at the request of the City of Saint Paul, I have authorized the Minnesota National Guard to make preparations to assist local law enforcement agencies as needed,” Walz said. “The National Guard will be available to help keep the peace, ensure public safety, and allow for peaceful demonstrations.”

Locke did not have any criminal convictions in Minnesota and was reportedly a licensed firearm owner.

Two other individuals, both with multiple prior convictions, were at the apartment when the incident occurred, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.

One of the individuals, Marlon Speed, has 10 convictions, including assault, sales of cocaine and marijuana, and obstruction of the legal process.

 

Tatyana Henderson, the other individual present, has four convictions, all of which are petty misdemeanors from traffic violations.

 

According to the general offense public information report, released by the Minneapolis Police Department, “Officers gained entry to the target apartment on the seventh floor, loudly and repeatedly announced their presence, crossed the threshold of the apartment and advanced with continued loud announcements of their presence.”

“As seen in the body-worn camera video released by Minneapolis Police, Mr. Locke appears to be sleeping on the couch during the execution of a no-knock warrant,” Bryan Strawser, the chair of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, said in a press release. “He is awoken with a confusing array of commands coming from multiple officers who are pointing lights and firearms at him.”

Crime Watch Minneapolis reported that following the release of the body camera footage on Thursday evening, bomb squads swept Minneapolis precincts and buildings around the city on Friday. All Minneapolis precincts were reportedly on lockdown on Friday night.

Protesters gathered in Minneapolis on Friday evening, parking in the streets and honking their horns. Another protest is planned for Saturday afternoon.

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Hayley Feland is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun and The Wisconsin Daily Star | Star News Network. Follow Hayley on Twitter or like her Facebook page. Send news tips to [email protected].
Photo “Minneapolis Police” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.

Editor’s Note: The article is updated to reflect the conviction record of Marlon Speed, born in 1998.

 

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