Federal lawsuit filed against Minnesota State Troopers
FILE - Family members of Ricky Cobb II, a Black man who was shot and killed by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper, speak at a news conference outside Hennepin County Government Center, Aug. 2, 2023, in Minneapolis. On Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, prosecutors charged Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan with murder and two other counts in the shooting death of Cobb during a stop in July 2023. (AP Photo/Trisha Ahmed, File)
The family of Ricky Cobb II have filed a federal lawsuit against two Minnesota State Troopers. Cobb was shot and killed during a traffic stop in July 2023.
The lawsuit names Trooper Ryan Londregan who charged with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second degree manslaughter back in January. The lawsuit also cites fellow State Trooper Brett Seide
“These two troopers created this situation, escalated it and then Londregan ended it by stealing Ricky Cobb II from his family forever,” said Bakari Sellers, the one of the attorney’s representing the Cobb family. “That’s not just a tragedy. That’s a crime and it’s time to hold them accountable.”
WDIO has reached out Minnesota State Patrol for a statement.
From the Associated Press, Trooper Brett Seide initially pulled Cobb over when he saw the taillights were out on the Ford Fusion Cobb was driving, according to the bureau.
The bureau has said previously that Seide checked Cobb’s record and found he was wanted for a “probable cause arrest for a felony order-for-protection violation” issued by the nearby Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.
Londregan and Trooper Garrett Erickson arrived later and helped as Seide tried to pull Cobb out of the car before Londregan shot him. Cobb was able to drive a short distance before stopping his Ford Fusion stopped on the interstate.
The bureau has said the troopers then tried to save Cobb. He died at the scene.