FBI Agent May Not Have Identified Himself

FBI special agent Samuel Hicks, killed Wednesday in PA during a raid on a suspected drug dealer, might have been executing a no-knock warrant at the time of his death.
Initial reports indicated that Hicks was shot during a home invasion.

No-knock warrants do not require law enforcement to identify themselves or to knock before entering a home. Critics have attacked the procedure as being too dangerous for both law enforcement as well as citizens, and a violation of the civil rights of the person on whom the warrant is being served.

This type of warrant made the news in November of 2006 when 92 year old Kathryn Johnston was killed by officers during a no-knock raid on her home. Police initially said an informant claimed drug dealers were in the home. That information was later proven to be fabricated.

After entering her home unannounced, police fired 39 shots at Johnston, hitting her 6 times. Several officers were wounded by friendly fire.

The FBI has issued no statements regarding the nature of the warrant served by special agent Hicks, yesterday.