Man Killed By MN Trooper Died From 'Multiple' Gunshot Wounds: Examier

MINNEAPOLIS — The man killed by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper during a traffic stop on Interstate 94 early Monday died from "multiple gunshot wounds," according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

Ricky Thomas Cobb II, 33, of Plymouth was shot at on I-94 West near 42nd Avenue North. The examiner's reporter does not say when Cobb was shot. However, he died at the scene at 2:35 a.m., the report states.

Cobb's death was ruled a homicide, but the classification was accompanied by the following note:

Manner of death classification is a statutory function of the medical examiner, as part of death certification for purposes of vital statistics and public health. Manner of death is not a legal determination of culpability or intent. Under Minnesota state law, the Medical Examiner is a neutral and independent office and is separate and distinct from any prosecutorial authority or law enforcement agency.

Read the full report below:

Three troopers involved in the traffic stop were placed on administrative leave, per State Patrol policy. The State Patrol asked the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate the shooting.

Body and squad cameras were activated during the shooting, authorities said.
Colonel Matt Langer — who heads the State Patrol — said he is working to release the video to the public after providing Cobb's family an opportunity to view it.

The BCA released its initial findings from the incident on Monday afternoon:

Just after 1:50 a.m., a trooper spotted a Ford Fusion with no taillights on I-94 near Lowry Avenue, according to the BCA.

The trooper pulled the driver over and, during the traffic stop, learned the driver was wanted in Ramsey County over a felony-level violation.

Troopers tried to make an arrest but the driver refused to exit the vehicle, according to the BCA.

They then tried to physically remove him but he drove away. A trooper shot the driver "during the course of this incident," the BCA said.

The driver was given emergency treatment but died at the scene.