(CNN) Authorities have released the no-knock search warrants for the raid that led to 22-year-old Amir Locke's killing earlier this month -- and the documents show St. Paul police argued the controversial method was the safest way to execute their search, for both officers and suspects.
"A no-knock warrant enables officers to execute the warrant more safely by allowing officers to make entry into the apartment without alerting the suspects inside. This will not only increase officer safety, but it will also decrease the risk for injuries to the suspects and other residents nearby," St. Paul police Sgt. Dan Zebro wrote in his warrant application.
Police requested those warrants as they zeroed in on a Minneapolis apartment building in their hunt for suspects -- including Locke's teenage cousin -- and evidence connected to a St. Paul homicide. Locke was not named in any of the warrants and his family has now called for the abolition of no-knock warrants.
The search warrant applications, made public Thursday, were approved by Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, the same judge who presided over the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.
Here's what the documents show:
In a Thursday news conference, Locke's family called on President Joe Biden to push a national ban on no-knock warrants in the name of their son.
His death is the latest example of such warrants ending in tragedy, with law enforcement making split-second decisions that result in the loss of life. In 2020, Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was shot and killed while Louisville police executed a no-knock warrant.
"All I have is the memories," Locke's mother, Karen Wells said Thursday. "I should not have to bury a 22-year-old child."
Officers were looking for Locke's cousin, 17-year-old Mekhi Speed, and two others when they burst into the apartment where Locke was sleeping. Police had linked Speed to the homicide through surveillance footage and a "distinct" car authorities suspected was stolen, court records showed.
Speed was eventually located and arrested in Winona, Minnesota, about 100 miles southeast of Minneapolis. He has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and prosecutors have motioned the court to try Speed as an adult. He made his initial court appearance Tuesday and was remanded to remain in custody. His defense attorney is listed as "tbd" but his next hearing is scheduled for February 15.
CNN has attempted to reach Speed's mother, Cheryl Locke, but has not received a response.