WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/04/22]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith released the following statement on the fatal shooting of Amir Locke:
“Another family is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of their son, Amir Locke, who had his whole life ahead of him. He was only 22.”
“The body cam video from the shooting is deeply disturbing. Minneapolis police storm an apartment on a no-knock warrant and within seconds have shot and killed Amir Locke, who moments before appeared to be wrapped in a blanket sleeping on a couch.”
“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. They must explain why they described Amir as being “armed with a handgun pointed in the direction of officers” when this was not the case. This demonstrates why many community members find it impossible to trust what MPD tells them.”
“We will now begin, yet again, the terrible cycle of investigation, and, I hope, accountability. 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). I hope the US Department of Justice will include this killing in their ongoing investigation of whether the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department are engaging in a pattern or practice of depriving individuals of their rights under the US Constitution and federal law. I hope this is the last incident that deserves to be included in that investigation.”