The use of “no-knock” warrants has been banned in Louisville, with the new ordinance named for Breonna Taylor, the young black woman who was fatally shot after officers burst into her home. Louisville’s Metro Council unanimously voted Thursday night to ban the controversial warrants after days of protests and calls for reform.
Taylor, who was studying to become a nurse, was shot eight times by officers conducting a narcotics investigation on March 13. No drugs were found at her home. Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, said after the law was passed, “I’m just going to say, Breonna, that’s all she wanted to do was save lives, so with this law she will continue to get to do that. She would be so happy.”
The law bans the use of the warrants by Louisville Metro officers. Police typically use them in drug cases over concern that evidence could be destroyed if they announce their arrival. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul also introduced federal legislation Thursday that would ban the use of no-knock warrants nationwide.
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