MN Police Group Rips Hennepin Attorney For Trooper Murder Charge

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Police Officer Association rebuked Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty for charging a state trooper with murder Wednesday.

Trooper Ryan Londregan faces one count each of second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree manslaughter in the July 31 shooting death of Ricky Cobb II.

Officials from the police association, which provides legal resources and representation for officers across the state, say charges are not warranted because Londregan was justified in using lethal force.

"County Attorney Moriarty has made politics and ideology her source material, not the law," Minnesota Police Officers Association General Counsel Imran Ali said in a statement.

"The law is well-established and clear: law enforcement may use reasonable force if they are confronted with death or great bodily harm. The state trooper made a critical and necessary decision to use reasonable force during a dangerous and dynamic situation. Law enforcement officers die in similar situations."

Brian Peters, the executive director of the police association, added: "The State Troopers used their training and acted accordingly to arrest the driver and address the imminent threat to both law enforcement personnel and the public at large as the driver unlawfully and dangerously attempted to escape in his vehicle. The State Trooper’s actions were driven by his lawful duty."

Peters said they will "vigorously defend our trooper who is unjustly charged as a result of acting in accordance with his legal responsibilities. "

In a news release discussing the charging discussion Wednesday, Moriarty said that: "A critical component of the work of the Minnesota State Patrol is engaging with drivers during motor vehicle stops."

"This is something that State Troopers do every day, and, as a result, they receive extensive training on how to do so safely and effectively," Moriarty continued. "Trooper Londregan did not follow this training. These charges are appropriate based on the thorough investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and attorneys in our office."

According to investigators, on July 31 at 1:50 a.m., Minnesota state trooper Brett Seide saw a car drive past him on I-94 with rear lights turned off.

After he pulled the car over, Seide learned the driver — identified as Cobb — was wanted on probable cause arrest for a felony order-for-protection violation issued by Ramsey County.

While Seide was gathering information, Londregan, and a third trooper — Garrett Erickson — pulled up to assist.

As seen on video, all three troopers approached Cobb's car together. They asked him to get out of his car, but Cobb II refused, so they tried to physically remove him, investigators said. Londregan shot Cobb II during the struggle, according to authorities.

Both Londregan and Seide were then knocked down as Cobb pulled away.

After getting back into their vehicles, the three troopers followed Cobb about a quarter-mile down the interstate, authorities said.

The troopers caught up Cobb's vehicle while it was slowing to a stop along the interstate's interior divider.

The troopers attempted life-saving measures, but Cobb died at the scene, authorities said. Londregan and Seide were hospitalized and later released.

The video below contains graphic scenes and may be disturbing: