MINNEAPOLIS — The family of Ricky Cobb II, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop in 2023, announced on Wednesday they filed a federal lawsuit against Minnesota State Troopers, Ryan Londregan and Brett Seide.
The lawsuit states that Londregan and Seide violated Cobb's civil rights when they "unreasonably seized" and "used excessive force" after pulling him over last July 31 for a tail light violation on the shoulder of Interstate 94 in Minneapolis.
According to the court documents, the plaintiff in the lawsuit is Nyra Jean Miller-Fields, Cobb's mother and representative of her son's estate.
Miller-Fields, her family, civil rights activist Spike Moss, attorneys Bakari Sellers, Harry Daniels, and F. Clayton Tyler attended a news conference in the Hennepin County Government Center Wednesday morning to detail the allegations against the troopers.
"We are seeking justice not only for Ricky Cobb II but for our community, for our people, for just everyone. This isn't fair. No one should be afraid to drive past a police officer because you don't know if you're going to get pulled over," said Octavia Ruffin, Cobb's sister. " Should no traffic stop end deadly. Ever! Everyone should get home."
During the news conference, Attorney Daniels said that following the murder of George Floyd, the state entered into an agreement with the city of Minneapolis that law enforcement cannot make traffic stops for defective equipment, such as broken tail lights.
"You have state agents, state patrol officers... that are violating the agreement the state had with the city of Minneapolis," said Attorney Daniels. "So on the basis alone... the stop was unjustified and unlawful."
According to Wednesday's lawsuit, the family of Cobb II suffered "pecuniary loss, including medical and funeral expenses, loss of aid, counsel, guidance, advice, assistance, protection, and support in an amount to be determined by a jury."
Cobb II was shot and killed by Londregan on July 31, 2023, after he was initially pulled over for a broken tail light, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).
DPS said troopers learned Cobb was wanted in Ramsey County for a felony-level violation. Records show Cobb violated a no-contact order.
Body camera video released by Minnesota State Patrol officials showed troopers trying to detain Cobb, as the trooper at the driver's side went to unbuckle Cobb's seatbelt. The video showed Cobb's hand moving toward the gear-shifter and Londregan firing from the open passenger door as the car lurched forward. Troopers Brett Seide and Londregan received minor injuries after falling to the ground as the car pulled away.
Cobb crashed about a quarter-mile away and was pronounced dead at the scene from the gunshot wound.
In January, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced her office was filing criminal charges against Londregan, including second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter.
Londregan is scheduled to be back in court on April 29.
Londregan is the first officer to be charged by Moriarty since she was elected after running a campaign promising police accountability. Since the charges were filed there have been questions raised about Moriarty's decision to charge Londregan by law enforcement leaders and even Governor Tim Walz. Some are calling for the case to be reassigned to the office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.