MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – A Minnesota state trooper has been charged with murder after fatally shooting a 33-year-old Black man during a traffic stop in July. Trooper Ryan Londregan, 27, is facing charges of second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree manslaughter, according to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.
The shooting of Ricky T. Cobb II, which resulted in his death, occurred after Cobb took his foot off the brake during the traffic stop. Moriarty stated that a reasonable threat did not exist before Londregan opened fire, and the decision to file criminal charges against the trooper comes after the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension completed its investigation in September.
The shooting sparked outrage from Cobb’s family and community leaders, leading to calls for Londregan and the two other state troopers on the scene to be fired. Although Londregan is the only trooper facing charges in the case, all three are on paid leave, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Cobb, of St. Cloud, had been pulled over in Minneapolis for driving without his lights. One of the troopers at the scene said they learned Cobb was wanted for a “violation of a protective order” in another county. The troopers asked Cobb to get out of his vehicle, stating they would explain why once he exited. However, when Cobb questioned why they were asking him to exit, the situation quickly escalated, leading to the fatal shooting.
While Londregan’s attorney has criticized the charges, stating that his client is a “hero,” Moriarty emphasized that troopers are trained to carry out traffic stops safely and are only permitted to use deadly force when there is a threat of great bodily harm or death. Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, described the case as a “sad situation for everyone involved,” acknowledging the deep loss felt by Cobb’s family and friends.
The release of body-camera footage from the traffic stop, along with the decision to charge the state trooper, has sparked discussions about law enforcement’s use of force and the handling of traffic stops involving Black individuals. As the case unfolds, scrutiny continues to surround the circumstances that led to Cobb’s tragic death.