Parents Of Amir Locke Sue Minneapolis, Police Officer Mark Hanneman

MINNEAPOLIS — The parents of Amir Locke are suing the city of Minneapolis and officer Mark Hanneman over the police shooting that killed their son just over one year ago.

Locke, 22, was shot and killed during a no-knock search warrant on Feb. 2, 2022, at a downtown apartment. He was not named in the search warrant and he was not a suspect in the investigation.

"The City of Minneapolis, as we’ve seen clearly and painfully in recent years, has a history of using excessive and unjustified force, particularly against Black men," said civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Karen Wells and Andre Locke, in a news release.

"The Black community in Minneapolis is 19 percent of the population, but 63 percent of cases where Minneapolis Police use of force. Amir Locke should not have died one year ago, and we will use this lawsuit to fight for justice and for much-needed change in the way Minneapolis trains its officers."

The lawsuit claims that Locke was deprived of his rights under the United States Constitution, which guarantees due process and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Locke's death immediately sparked protests and renewed scrutiny of the Minneapolis Police Department. However, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison determined in April there was "insufficient admissible evidence to file criminal charges" against Hanneman, who fired the three shots that killed Locke.

A graphic body camera video from the shooting shows an officer using a key to quietly unlock the door to the apartment where Locke was sleeping. Once inside, several officers began shouting "search warrant" and "police search warrant."

After an officer kicks the couch that Locke is on, Locke begins moving under a blanket, handling a handgun. Hanneman quickly shoots and kills him.

The lawsuit includes four charges against the city and the officer:

• Count I – 42 U.S.C. §1983 – Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment Violations against Defendant Hanneman
• Count II - 42 U.S.C. §1983 – Monell Liability against the City of Minneapolis
• Count III - 42 U.S.C. §1983 – Canton Liability against the City of Minneapolis
• Count IV – Minn. Stat. §57302 State Law Wrongful Death against the City of Minneapolis and Mark Hanneman

"Our hearts are broken, and there is nothing in the world that will make that better," Amir's parents said in a statement.

"Amir was a beautiful 22-year-old man with his whole life to be lived and we will never know how his contributions could have made the world a better place. We now fight for justice in his name and hope meaningful change will be his legacy."