(KNSI) — The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus issued a statement Friday morning supporting 22-year-old Amir Locke, who was shot dead by Minneapolis police Wednesday morning.
The statement says, “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,” stated Bryan Strawser, Chair, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. “He is awoken with a confusing array of commands coming from multiple officers who are pointing lights and firearms at him.”
“Mr. Locke did what many of us might do in the same confusing circumstances, he reached for a legal means of self-defense while he sought to understand what was happening,” added Rob Doar, Senior VP, Governmental Affairs.
Minneapolis Police SWAT officers were reportedly executing a search warrant connected to a homicide case in St. Paul. Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Amelia Huffman confirmed Thursday night at a press conference that Locke was not the subject of the warrant.
Bodycam footage released Thursday night shows officers entering the apartment was with a key before shouts of “Police! Search warrant! Show me your hands! Get on the ground!” can be heard before shots were fired. A still photo shows Locke almost entirely wrapped in a blanket with his face barely visible, but he does have a gun in his hand. Huffman claims the gun was pointed at officers, but the photo seems to dispute that claim.
“The tragic circumstances of Mr. Locke’s death were completely avoidable, “stated Doar. “It’s yet another example where a no-knock warrant has resulted in the death of an innocent person. In this case, as in others, the public should expect and receive full transparency and accountability from law enforcement agencies that serve and protect our local communities.”
“Amir Locke, a lawful gun owner, should still be alive, “added Strawser. “Black men, like all citizens, have a right to keep and bear arms. Black men, like all citizens, have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable search and seizure.”
The statement says the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus “expects a transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident.”
Read the release by clicking here.
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