Families of Locke and Taylor Locke call for complete ban on ‘no-knock’ warrants

Family members of Amir Locke and several other families who say they’ve lost loved ones at the hands of police held a news conference Thursday afternoon to demand an end to “no-knock” warrants in Minnesota.

The families were joined by civil rights attorneys, including Ben Crump, who represents the family.

“What do we have to do to say stop killing us?” Crump said at the news conference, standing alongside Locke’s mother and father.

“This is not fair,” said Karen Wells, Locke’s mother. “It is unacceptable. I should not have to bury a 22-year-old child.”

Several times the group repeated a chant aimed at lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz.

“Let’s make sure the governor understands us,” Crump said, before leading the chant: “If the no-knock bans were enforced, let’s be clear, Amir Locke would still be here!”

The families demanded the abolition of no-knock warrants during Thursday afternoon’s conference at the Minnesota Capitol.

Last Friday, Locke’s parents and attorneys held a news conference calling for justice and accountability.

Locke, 22, was fatally shot by Minneapolis police officer Mark Hanneman last week while an MPD SWAT team served a warrant for a St. Paul homicide case. Police later revealed Locke was not named in the search warrant.

An affidavit shows 17-year-old Mekhi Speed was the subject of the warrant, and he was arrested in Winona.

The juvenile petition states Locke was Speed’s cousin.

RELATED: Minneapolis police shoot, kill man armed with gun while serving search warrant

Speed was booked on suspicion of murder in connection to the death of 38-year-old Otis Elder, who was shot near Prior Avenue North and Oakley Avenue on Jan. 10. Formal charges against Speed are expected to be filed Tuesday in Ramsey County.

Earlier this week, House DFL lawmakers said they’re working on a bill to significantly restrict the use of “no-knock” warrants, says the bill would limit their use by “only allowing no-knock warrants to be used in extreme circumstances where there is evidence that a civilian’s life would otherwise be put in danger.”

RELATED: Body camera video of fatal MPD shooting released; city leaders, activists respond

But Crump and Locke’s parents say that doesn’t go far enough.

“The fact that we can’t trust them to stick to their word we simply say ban them all,” Crump said in response to a question about the DFL proposal.

“There’s not too much to say about that,” said Amir Locke’s father, Andre Locke. “Like Mr. Crump said, you can’t trust them to keep their word. Just ban them all.”

That sentiment was echoed by Locke’s mother.

“The system failed my son and got my son executed,” Wells said. “So ban it across America. Yes, completely.”

A bill is likely to be introduced in the House next week. Senate Republicans say they’re willing to listen to proposals, but say they will balance the safety of civilians with the safety of law enforcement officers.

RELATED: Affidavit: Amir Locke’s cousin arrested in connection to St. Paul homicide, was target of search when Locke was shot