MINNEAPOLIS — The family of Ricky Cobb II, and the attorney representing them, gathered at the Hennepin County Government Center on Thursday, a day after a Minnesota State trooper was charged with murder in Cobb's July 2023 shooting death.
"I would say to any father who has lost a child: It takes you to a different level. I have to stand strong," said Ricky Cobb Jr., about his son.
Cobb II was shot and killed by 27-year-old state trooper Ryan Londregan on July 31, 2023, after he was initially pulled over on Interstate 94 for a tail light violation, according to the Department of Public Safety. On Wednesday, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced her office filed charges against Londregan, including second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter.
"I would like to thank Mary and her staff for taking the time to examine this case and make the right decision," Cobb's twin brother, Rashad, said at the press conference Thursday morning. "I understand the fight will be long, grueling, painful... and that comes with stuff like this."
The situation for Cobb turned deadly after troopers learned he was wanted in Ramsey County in connection with a felony-level violation. Records show Cobb violated a no-contact order.
Body camera video released by Minnesota State Patrol officials shows troopers trying to detain Cobb, with trooper Brett Seide trying to unbuckle Cobb’s seatbelt from the driver's side. The video also shows Cobb’s hand moving toward the gear-shifter, and Londregan firing from the open passenger door as the car lurches forward.
As the car pulled away, the troopers fell to the ground, suffering minor injuries. Cobb crashed about a quarter-mile away, where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.
Londregan is the first officer to be charged by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty since she was elected after running a campaign promising police accountability.
"When we think of situations like this, it's a problem for our country, and once we come together and figure this out, this is where it starts, in Minnesota — again," Rashad said. "It's hard every day to wake up and look at myself in the face, but I have to because I have to look my people in the face. We want equality; we want justice; we're not asking for the world — we're just asking for what's righteously ours."
Harry Daniels, the family's attorney, said the case is a matter of "right versus wrong."
"Make no mistake about it, the bells of justice have not started ringing," Daniels said, "someone just started walking to the tower, and this is the first step."
Almost immediately following the county's announcement to bring charges against Londregan, his team filed a notice of defense, claiming Londregan's use of deadly force was necessary to protect both himself and Seide from "death and/or great bodily harm."
According to the notice, Seide told the BCA, "Cobb's conduct was terrifying, dangerous, and lethal force was needed before he could kill me and Trooper Londregan."
One of the attorneys representing Londregran, Chris Madel, posted a video statement responding to the county's charges. In it, he criticizes Moriarty's work as the county's top law enforcement official and calls his client a "hero."
"This county attorney has provided sweetheart deals to murderers and kidnappers, and now today, she charges a hero," he said, adding, "Open season on law enforcement must end, and it’s going to end with this case."
"You're still going to have those that believe that 'if he just would have got out of the car' or 'he was trying to protect his officer' and some statements being made that 'why are we prosecuting a hero?' Well, there was a hero that day because as the defendant was firing his weapon, Ricky was shielding his officer, partner, from bullets," Daniels responded Thursday.
Cobb's mother, Nyra Fields-Miller, also spoke during the press conference, saying she will not rest until there is justice for her son.
"I stand in solidarity and for justice for my son," she said. "I stand as solid as a rock — I'm not to be moved easily."
"As a brother, I couldn't ask for anyone better," Rashad said about Ricky's character. "As a man, as a father, you know, we go to work; we take care of our kids; we help our friends; we go to church. The person we're speaking about is an all-around man."
Adding, "If you think about an angel in angel form, that was my brother."
Londregan is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday, Jan. 29, at 1:15 p.m.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist: