By Rami Ayyub

(Reuters) -Amir Locke’s cousin was killed by Minneapolis police last week while executing a “no knock” search warrant. Police and prosecutors announced Tuesday that the fatal raid led to officers being arrested.

A 17-year old boy, Mekhi Speed (a county prosecutor identified Locke’s cousin) was arrested by police in Saint Paul on Monday for homicide committed Jan. 10.

Saint Paul Police Department stated on Twitter that “this arrest is connected to the search warrants which were served last week at Minneapolis.”

Locke’s 22-year-old death at the hands of police in Minneapolis has prompted protests.

Locke was not named on the warrant in connection to the Saint Paul murder investigation. Police have also acknowledged that it is unclear whether he was.

Ramsey County Attorney John J. Choi filed a charge document stating that the apartment raided Feb. 2 belonged to Speed’s girlfriend. Speed’s brother and his girlfriend were present at the apartment when it was raided.

Locke was identified in the document as A.L.The document identified Locke as “A.L.

Speed was charged with second-degree murder Tuesday in the shooting death of Otis Elder (38 year old Minneapolis resident), the document stated. Speed is currently being held at Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center.

‘NO-KNOCK’

Locke’s parents are joining others calling for the end of no-knock warrants throughout Minneapolis. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced a moratorium https://www.reuters.com/world/us/minneapolis-police-releases-video-swat-team-shooting-dead-armed-black-man-2022-02-04 on such searches on Friday, and some state lawmakers are seeking to enact legislation limiting them.

Andre Locke, his father, said Tuesday in an interview to CNN that Amir’s death was caused by the no-knock warrant. He couldn’t have seen what was ahead. He didn’t know who would take his life.”

Karen Wells was unable to hold back her tears as Locke’s mom said in an interview that “Professional people who carry guns are supposed serve the community and protect it. They didn’t protect me that day.”

The day after Locke’s killing, police released video footage https://www.reuters.com/world/us/minneapolis-police-releases-video-swat-team-shooting-dead-armed-black-man-2022-02-04 from the raid that showed Locke holding a gun as he twisted beneath a blanket on a sofa after being roused by officers.

Following protests over the weekend students from several Minneapolis high schools organized a walkout on Tuesday. They waved banners saying “Justice for Amir Locke”, “Protect Young Black Lives” as photos and video posted on social media.

This is just the latest incident to bring the Minneapolis police force under investigation. George Floyd was an unarmed Black man who was shot and killed almost two years ago by a white police officer. He knelt down on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes while making an arrest.

Floyd’s tragic death spurred a national movement against police brutality, bias and the U.S. criminal justice systems.

Derek Chauvin was found guilty by the jury of second-degree murder unintentionally and manslaughter. Chauvin filed notice to appeal his conviction.