The family of Ricky Cobb II, a Black man who was shot and killed by a Minnesota state trooper last summer, was devastated when prosecutors decided to dismiss murder and manslaughter charges against the trooper. Cobb’s mother, Nyra Fields-Miller, expressed her disappointment and frustration at the lack of accountability for law enforcement officers who use excessive force. The family criticized Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and Governor Tim Walz for not holding the trooper accountable, and they plan to request an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division into the shooting. Attorney Bakari Sellers emphasized the lack of justice for Black individuals in the country.
The shooting of Cobb, a 33-year-old Black man, occurred during a traffic stop in Minneapolis, where he was pulled over by Trooper Ryan Londregan for having his car lights out. When Cobb tried to drive away after being ordered to get out of his car, Londregan shot him twice, leading to his death. The incident added to the ongoing political turmoil surrounding law enforcement in Minneapolis, a city still grappling with the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. Moriarty, who was elected in 2022 on a police reform platform, faced criticism from Walz, who considered taking the case away from her office.
On Monday, Walz expressed his willingness to transfer the case to the state attorney general’s office if charges had not been dropped. Moriarty defended her decision to dismiss the charges, citing new defense claims and statements from State Patrol officials that made the case difficult to prove. Sellers pointed out that body camera footage should have provided prosecutors with key evidence earlier on, and Cobb’s family has since filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the trooper. Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, highlighted the ongoing struggle for accountability in cases of police violence, even in the wake of high-profile incidents.
Londregan, the trooper involved in the shooting, remains on paid leave while the State Patrol reviews the incident. His attorney, Chris Madel, maintains that Londregan acted heroically and plans to return to law enforcement. Cobb’s family and supporters, however, continue to mourn the loss of Ricky Cobb II, emphasizing his qualities as a son, father, and working individual. Despite the legal proceedings and investigations, the family seeks clarity and justice for their loved one, calling for accountability in cases of police misconduct. The community remains divided on the issue, with concerns about the lack of progress in holding officers responsible for their actions.
