Black Lives Matter
No-Knock, No More
How deadly consequences on search warrants claimed the life of Amir Locke
Last Tuesday during a book club meeting with my writing group, we discussed Chapter 9 on Self-Defense from Nikole Hannah-Jones’ The 1619 Project. My initial thoughts on the chapter were that it spoke to a stand your ground degree that protects the criminal on the white side of race while weakening the rights of Black protection and self-defense.
I had no idea those words would ring true the very next day.
On Wednesday, February 2nd, 22-year old Amir Locke was shot and killed inside an apartment in Minneapolis during the execution of a no-knock warrant by police officers. Police body camera footage shows officers entering the apartment at 6:48 am where Locke is shown asleep on the couch.
Locke, shown to be holding a gun, was executed before he could fully comprehend himself out of sleep. Minneapolis police stated that although details of the warrant were sealed to protect the integrity of the investigation, they did confirm that Locke’s name was not referenced on the warrant.
Though the showing of Locke’s gun in his hand is apparently what prompted officers to open fire, the family’s attorney confirmed that he was in legal possession…
