Following the death of Amir Locke at the hands of Minneapolis police, who were conducting a no-knock search warrant, Rep. Ilhan Omar issued a statement describing Locke's death as an execution.
Sharing more of her thoughts on Locke and the current state of Minneapolis, Omar joined News Talk 830 WCCO's Chad Hartman.
"I am heartbroken for our community," Omar said, adding that "Amir Locke's life mattered, and it's a tragedy that he won't be afforded the opportunity to grow up."
Locke was 22 and at his cousin's apartment the morning that he was shot by Minneapolis Police who were searching for his other cousin in connection to a homicide investigation.
The representative stood by her statement that Locke was executed by police, saying there is no other way to describe what happened.
Omar said that the people of Minneapolis are sick and tired of the violence from police that is "unchecked and unreformed." She added that this is another example proving the police department needs an overhaul.
"I don't know how many more people need to be killed in the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department before we are finally ready to repair this broken system," Omar said.
After Locke's death, many have called for the resignation of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and interim police chief Amelia Huffman.
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Omar said she does not think Huffman should serve as the next police chief, especially after okaying a warrant that was supposed to be prohibited under a previous Frey policy.
No-knock warrants have now been thrown into the spotlight once again, and Omar is a part of a group of congressmen looking to ban the practice entirely. While some think this would help, others argue that there are times when a no-knock warrant is needed for the safety of the officers.
Omar said that retiring the practice would stop the needless deaths of innocent people like Locke and Brianna Taylor.
When it comes to the rise in violent crime in Minneapolis, Omar says that she has been working with other city leaders and the people of the city to try and find a solution.
"I have been in communication with our mayor. I have been in communication with our governor. I have been in communication with other city leaders in trying to figure out how we put forth a plan that keeps all of us safe, that deals with police brutality, and the violence that happens with our community," Omar said. "I have yet to see them take the leadership that is necessary for these plans to come to fruition."
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