Destruction has returned to Minneapolis as rioters vandalized buildings and block traffic following the death of 22-year-old Amir Locke.
Locke was shot and killed during the execution of a no-knock warrant. After entering the apartment, police immediately make themselves known, shouting “search warrant” and “police”.
Locke, who was sleeping on the couch, just in front of the door rolled over from the blankets he was cocooned in with a handgun. The firearm is visible in bodycam footage, but police allege that Locke pointed the gun at officers.
It’s unclear if this is in fact the case because in the released footage another officer stands in front of Locke just before he is shot, blocking the camera’s line of sight.
Locke’s finger does not appear to be on the trigger in the still frame released by the department, however, it would take only one second for the finger to move.
In situations where an assailant has a firearm, officers have very limited time to react. One second could be the difference between a living officer, and an officer killed in action.
