Family of Ricky Cobb II Planning Lawsuit Against State Patrol Trooper

(KNSI) – The family of a man fatally shot by a member of the Minnesota State Patrol in July says it will file a civil suit against the trooper.

Troopers pulled over Ricky Cobb II after they spotted him driving a Ford Fusion in the dark without the lights on. He was wanted for violating a restraining order in Ramsey County, which requested troopers arrest Cobb. When they asked him to get out of the vehicle, Cobb is accused of refusing and becoming uncooperative. Charging documents in the criminal case against Ryan Londregan say the Fusion lurched forward when troopers tried to pull Cobb out of the car.

Londregan says Cobb tried to drive away, dragging him and another officer along Interstate 94, so he shot him in self-defense. Londregan has been charged with second-degree murder, among other charges, in what has become a controversial criminal case.

Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-CD2) and Governor Tim Walz have both supported reassigning the case from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office after it was revealed that lead prosecutor Mary Moriarty disregarded the opinion of a use-of-force expert who said Londregan’s actions were justified.

Cobb’s parents and their legal team are expected to hold a press conference inside the Hennepin County Government Center on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to announce the suit.

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