State Trooper charged with death of Ricky Cobb

Ricky Cobb II was shot and killed by Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan at a traffic stop on July 31, 2023. (Image: Ricky Cobb's Facebook page)

Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan was charged Wednesday with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter for the death of Ricky Cobb.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty made the announcement at a press conference at the Hennepin County Government Center.

Londregan’s attorney Christopher Madel issued a statement directly following the press conference, saying that Moriarty is “handing out sweetheart deals to murderers and kidnappers,” and charging a “hero.” 

"This county attorney is literally out of control. Open season on law enforcement must end, and it's going to end with this case," said Madel.

Cobb was pulled over on Interstate 94 on July 31, 2023 for driving without his lights on. According to police footage, Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan arrived on the scene after Cobb had been pulled over by two other state troopers. They told Londregan that Cobb had violated a protective order in Ramsey County, but that there was no warrant out for his arrest. Londregan demanded Cobb exit from the vehicle, and when he didn't immediately comply, he was told he was under arrest. Londregan again demanded that Cobb get out of the car and then, tenths of a second later, as Cobb lifted his foot off the brake, Londregan shot him twice in the torso. Cobb died at the scene.

“As with all Minnesota law enforcement officers, state troopers may only use deadly force when it is necessary to protect a person from a specific identified threat of great bodily harm or death that was reasonably likely to occur. That did not exist in this case,” said Moriarty. 

According to the head of the State Patrol, Col. Matt Langer, Londregan will remain on paid leave while an investigation by the Department of Public Safety’s Internal Affairs Division is completed.

Londregan is expected to make his first court appearance regarding the charges as soon as Monday afternoon.

[Editor's note: This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the details of the Hennepin County complaint.]