MINNEAPOLIS — The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office confirmed what family members already made public, that Ricky Cobb II was the man shot and killed by a Minnesota state trooper early Monday on the shoulder of I-94 in Minneapolis.
A report released Tuesday says Cobb died of multiple gunshot wounds on the shoulder of I-94 near 42nd Ave. N. The manner of death is listed as homicide.
Although officials did not initially name the man or confirm the shooting was fatal, KARE 11's Heidi Wigdahl spoke with relatives Monday, who identified him as Ricky Cobb II, a father of five. Family members said they hadn’t heard much yet from the state patrol, were waiting for more details and wanted to see body camera footage from the incident.
The Minnesota State Patrol says a trooper was observing traffic just before 2 a.m. when a Ford Fusion drove by with no taillights, traveling on I-94 near Lowry Avenue. The trooper pulled the driver over, and while gathering information, learned that he was wanted in Ramsey County in connection with a felony-level violation. Documents from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office show it was in violation of a no-contact order.
A news release issued by State Patrol said as troopers attempted to detain the driver, he refused to exit the vehicle and drove away. MnDOT traffic cameras show the car taking off with troopers running back to their squad cars. A few minutes later, squad cars surround the vehicle on I-94 near 42nd Avenue. It's unclear what unfolded next but Cobb was shot and killed. State Patrol would only say a trooper "discharged their firearm during the course of this incident." Life-saving measures were done on Cobb until an ambulance arrived.
Three State Patrol troopers are on administrative leave as is standard departmental policy. The patrol said both body and squad car cams were activated during the incident. Col. Matt Langer has directed that the video be released as quickly as possible after the driver's family has an opportunity to view it.
The agency has also asked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to take control of the fatal use-of-force investigation.
KARE 11 was on the scene Monday before the state patrol confirmed the fatal shooting. With the arrival of daylight, the Ford sedan could be seen surrounded by law enforcement vehicles on the shoulder of I-94, and a van from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office was also clearly visible.
The westbound lanes of the interstate were completely shut down following the incident and were reopened shortly after 10:30 a.m.
On Monday, community members and loved ones of Cobb came together in Minneapolis to mourn his loss and demand more transparency from law enforcement.
Cordale Handy’s mother Kimberly Handy Jones was at the vigil tonight in north Minneapolis. She shared a few words for Ricky Cobb’s family. She came to the park directly after one of the officers involved in her son’s death in 2017 was found civilly liable.
“I would like to say to Ricky Cobb’s family that I’m so sorry for your loss. And I’m sorry we have to keep saying this time and time again," Kimberly Handy-Jones said.
“You are not alone, when it just doesn’t seem like nothing is happening, you can do the possibilities, God can do the possibilities and I want to say keep your boots on the ground, don’t give in, don’t give up, don’t roll over, don’t fold over, keep going, because a miracle is on its way.”
This story will be updated as more information is released.
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