No-Knock Warrant Ban Closer to Law

Reported by Corin Hoggard from Minneapolis-St. Paul FOX 9 News KMSP

A ban on nearly all no-knock warrants continues to move towards the desk of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz with a push from the family of Amir Locke, a victim of such a warrant.

Minnesota legislators on May 9, 2023, heard advocates for and against the ban, including Amir’s father, Andre Locke Sr., who told legislators that his family generally supports law enforcement and grieves recent losses of officers who have been gunned down in Minnesota and other states.

St. Paul, Minnesota, twin-city to Minneapolis, stopped using no-knock warrants in 2016. Minneapolis enacted such a ban immediately following Amir’s death.

Andre, who also uses his musician-rap stage name ‘Buddy McLain,’ has spoken at various state and national venues about how a no-knock ban would have prevented his son, Amir, who was 22, from being shot to death on February 2, 2022, by Mark Hanneman of a Minneapolis Police Department SWAT team.  Amir was not the subject of any investigation.  He happened to be staying in a cousin’s apartment in downtown Minneapolis. 

Some law enforcement leaders maintain that no-knock warrants should be an alternative and may be the safest alternative in some situations.

Amir’s family is hoping a no-knock ban in Minnesota and other states will pave the way to preventing what happened to Amir.

Andre Locke Sr. (‘Buddy McLain’), is a long-time alumnus of the Explosonic Rockers Street Jazz Theatrical Troupe, which has morphed to the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe – Messages Which Are Hopeful – whose basic message always has been to change and save lives.  Andre lived on the West Side of Chicago while a member of the Explosonic Rockers and was well aware of the street gang influence and both the positive and negative efforts by the Chicago police in dealing with the gang culture.  Andre, who was never a gang member, was a survivor and is a great example for others who have the good fortune to meet him and know him.

Despite his personal tragedies, Andre (‘Buddy McLain’) continues his own personal mission to make the world a safer and more caring place.

Amir was and would continue to be so very proud!