Ricky Cobb II's family outraged, frustrated after charges dropped against trooper Ryan Londregan
MINNEAPOLIS — The family of a man killed by a Minnesota State Trooper is now demanding an independent investigation into his death. It comes after the decision to drop murder charges against trooper Ryan Londregan for killing Ricky Cobb II.
Minnesota State Patrol trooper Ryan Londregan, who is White, fatally shot Ricky Cobb II, who was Black, on Interstate 94 last July 31.
Family members are outraged and frustrated, but say they're not giving up. In a joint press conference with attorney Bakari Sellers, they said they want the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice to step in and investigate Cobb's case.
"I believe that every citizen of Minnesota should be concerned now, knowing that these officers go out on the streets, put themselves in danger and do so untrained," Sellers said. "One of the things that I won't do, and this family won't do, is allow Ricky's legacy to be in vain. And so we don't want there to be another Ricky Cobb II."
In addition, they're calling for an independent investigation into the Minnesota State Patrol and its training tactics.
"One thing I want them to understand, we're not taking 'nos' no more," said Rashad Cobb, Cobb brother.
Nyra Fields-Miller, Cobb's mother, also wants the community to step up and help them advocate for justice.
"My son was an excellent son to me," Fields-Miller said. "He was fully grown and he had aspirations. He was wonderful. He was a father and he was a human being."
Ricky Cobb Sr., Cobb's father, said his family's been treated horribly throughout the process. And while he's outraged by this news, he's not surprised.
"Justice, I knew that wasn't going to happen," Cobb Sr. said. "The truth came out. Our taxpayer dollars pay for untrained officers, armed, to run these streets to protect us. I don't want my taxpayer dollars to go that way."
Chris Madel, Londregan's defense attorney, told WCCO he watched the family's announcement. In a statement to WCCO, he said, "We agree on one thing: Mary Moriarty is doing a horrible job."
Cobb's family has filed a federal lawsuit alleging Londregan and fellow trooper Brett Seide unreasonably seized Cobb by ordering him out of the car without explaining if he was under arrest, and by reaching into the car and grabbing him in an attempt to "forcibly remove him." The troopers also used "unnecessary, excessive, and deadly force" on Cobb, the lawsuit says.
Details of the killing
After pulling Cobb over for inactive taillights, Londregan and Seide learned Cobb was wanted by Ramsey County law enforcement for violating a no-contact order in a domestic case.
According to body camera footage, the troopers demanded Cobb exit his vehicle. He refused and began driving away when a trooper tried to unbuckle his seat belt. That's when Londregan shot Cobb twice.
Cobb's vehicle continued to move, causing two of the troopers to fall to the ground. The vehicle eventually came to a stop, and Cobb was found dead inside.
Hennepin County Attorney's Office charges Londregan, then changes course
In January, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office charged Londregan with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter, to which Londregan pleaded not guilty.
On Monday, the charges against Londregan were dismissed. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office learned new information about Londregan's planned testimony and state patrol training that would "make it impossible" to prove the case against Londregan.
Moriarty said she met with Cobb's family before making the announcement. The family released a statement on Monday, saying in part:
"The simple fact is that, regardless of how many absurd excuses Trooper Londregan gives to try and absolve himself, he shot and killed Ricky Cobb II at point blank range without any justification and, instead of prosecuting him for murder, the County Attorney's Office has bowed to political pressure to drop the charges. Apparently, all you have to do to get away with murder is to bully the prosecutors enough and the charges will just go away."
In response, Londregan's attorney Chris Madel said on Sunday, "It's about g**d***ed time."