Amir Locke, an aspiring rapper visiting his hometown when shot by police

April 6, 2022 at 7:20PM
Amir Locke (Provided by Karen Wells/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Amir Locke, 22, was born Nov. 11, 1999, to Karen Wells and Andre Locke Sr. He was extremely close with his older brother Andre Locke Jr.

Locke grew up in the east metro cities of St. Paul, North St. Paul and Maplewood, attending Como Park Senior High and High School for Recording Arts. He was an aspiring rapper.

Following graduation, he moved to Dallas with his mother and brother, where he worked as a delivery driver for DoorDash while recording original music as Big Seemo. He frequently returned to Minnesota to visit his father, extended family and friends.

Locke was shot and killed by Minneapolis Police Officer Mark Hanneman on Feb. 2, 2022 after police executed a no-knock warrant at the apartment where Locke had been sleeping over with a cousin.

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about the writer

Susan Du

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Susan Du covers the city of Minneapolis for the Star Tribune.

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