No charges will be filed following death of Amir Locke

(Minneapolis, MN) -- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says the state is unable to file criminal charges against a Minneapolis police officer in the shooting death of 22-year-old Amir Locke.

"We have determined that under precedent and the laws we have, we cannot file criminal charges," said AG Ellison in a statement, " Current law only allows us to evaluate the case from the perspective of a reasonable officer. We are not allowed to evaluate the case from the perspective of the victim."

Ellison says other things can be done to prevent "traumatic" events like this from happening again. He cites three examples...

Reexamining of no-knock warrants...

- Ellison says more needs to be done to ensure the validity of no-knock warrants. He cites increased risks for civilians and officers, along with cities ending their use in the wake of Locke's death. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued a moratorium on the warrants in February and March of 2022, requiring officers to knock and then wait before entering a residence.

Passing the "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act"...

- Ellison says the full policy, crafted by the Attorney General and DPS Commissioner John Harrington, should be written into law. He says the act focuses on oversight, officer training, legal implications, and mental health awareness.

Passing policy and political accountability...

- Ellison criticized many leaders who talk about the issues, but haven't gotten the ball rolling for solving them. "The problems involving policing and communities of color in Minneapolis are long-standing and everyone knows it — yet it feels like nothing is ever done about it."

To learn more about Amir Locke, you can click here.