State Patrol Shooting: Charging Decision Coming 'Quickly As Possible'

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continues to investigate the deadly State Patrol shooting that happened early Monday on Interstate 94 in North Minneapolis.

After the BCA completes its investigation, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty promised her office will make a charging decision "as quickly as possible."

"My heart goes out to Mr. Cobb’s family who are grieving an unimaginable loss," Moriarty said in a statement.

"I also know this community continues to navigate the trauma and grief that results from police violence and the tragic loss of our community members at the hands of law enforcement, no matter the circumstances. And I know that our community wants answers. We will work as swiftly as possible to provide them."

Moriarty asked the BCA to prioritize the investigation.

Ricky Thomas Cobb II, 33, of Plymouth was shot at on I-94 West near 42nd Avenue North during a traffic stop. He died at the scene at 2:35 a.m. Monday of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

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

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The BCA released its initial findings from the incident:

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 — identified as Cobb — was wanted in Ramsey County over a felony-level violation.

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

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

Cobb was given emergency treatment but died at the scene. His death was ruled a homicide by the examiner, 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.