MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has filed charges against a Minnesota State Patrol trooper in connection with the shooting death of a motorist last summer. Ricky Cobb II, 33, was fatally shot by trooper Ryan Londregan during a stop on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on July 31 at about 2 a.m.
Londregan is facing charges of second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree manslaughter, according to a press release from Moriarty’s office. The incident occurred after Cobb was initially pulled over for driving without rear lights and then became uncooperative with troopers. The situation escalated when officers attempted to remove Cobb from his vehicle, leading to the fatal shooting.
The Minnesota State Patrol released body camera and squad footage of the incident shortly after Cobb’s death. While a handgun and cartridges were found in Cobb’s car, the video footage did not show him holding the gun. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had turned over their investigation to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in September, as some patrol employees refused to cooperate with the investigation.
The family of Ricky Cobb II, along with activists, have been advocating for the prosecution of Ryan Londregan and are planning to take legal action against the Minnesota State Patrol. The case is still ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the situation unfolds.
The shooting and resulting legal proceedings have renewed discussions about police use of force and the accountability of law enforcement officers. As the case continues to develop, there will likely be increased attention on police conduct and the justice system’s approach to handling similar incidents.