Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Charged with Shooting St. Cloud Man Fleeing Traffic Stop

1. “Trooper charged in fatal shooting of St. Cloud man fleeing traffic stop in Minneapolis”
2. “Fatal shooting of St. Cloud man allegedly fleeing traffic stop in Minneapolis”.

Accident – death – Obituary News : **Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Shooting death**

The Minnesota State Patrol Trooper, Ryan Londegran, is facing charges of second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of Ricky Cobb II. The incident occurred during a traffic stop in the Twin Cities last July.

According to the criminal complaint, on the night of July 31, 2023, Cobb was pulled over by troopers on Interstate 94 for driving without his lights on. During the stop, it was discovered that he was wanted in Ramsey County for violating a domestic abuse related order for protection. However, there was no outstanding warrant for Cobb’s arrest. Ramsey County authorities were contacted and they requested that Cobb be taken into custody.

Trooper Londegran, along with two other troopers, approached Cobb’s vehicle. Trooper A stood at the driver’s door, Trooper B stood behind them at the rear driver’s side door, and Londegran was at Cobb’s passenger door. The vehicle was in park with its doors locked and front windows rolled down. Trooper A informed Cobb that he needed to step out of the vehicle to discuss the issue with Ramsey County. Cobb questioned why he needed to do so, while the troopers insisted that he comply with their request.

Cobb asked if there was a warrant out for his arrest, to which Trooper A responded that there wasn’t, but everything would be explained once he got out of the car. Trooper A then asked Cobb to hand over his keys, but Cobb repeatedly asked why since he was only stopped for not having his headlights on. The trooper replied, “Yep. We’re way past that,” and told Cobb three more times to get out of the car.

During this exchange, Cobb’s hands were in the air as he gestured while talking, and the vehicle remained in park. He had not touched the steering wheel or gear shifter and had not stepped on the brake. As Londegran reached into the inside of the passenger door and unlocked the vehicle’s doors, Cobb became curious and looked over to see what he was doing. Londegran fully opened the passenger side door, and Cobb shifted the vehicle into drive and took his foot off the brake.

Trooper A began to open the driver’s side door as Londegran remained on the passenger side and reached for his service weapon. Trooper A leaned into the vehicle, reaching over Cobb’s body toward the seatbelt, when Cobb hit the brakes. At this point, Londegran pulled out his gun and pointed it directly at Cobb. Despite Trooper A’s continued attempt to lean into the vehicle, Cobb kept his foot on the brake.

Londegran loudly and aggressively yelled at Cobb to get out of the car, while the other trooper grabbed him. As the troopers tried to keep pace with the slowly moving vehicle, Londegran fired his handgun twice at Cobb’s torso, hitting him both times. The vehicle continued to move forward until both troopers lost their footing and fell to the ground.

Cobb’s car kept rolling forward onto Interstate 94, prompting the troopers to pursue him in their squad cars. After traveling about a quarter mile, the vehicle hit the median. The troopers quickly approached Cobb’s door, pulled him out of the car, and attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the filing of charges, County Attorney Mary Moriarty expressed her condolences to Cobb’s family and acknowledged their unimaginable loss. She emphasized that Trooper Londegran did not follow the State Patrol’s training protocol and stated that the charges were appropriate based on a thorough investigation.

State Patrol Col. Matt Langer also expressed his condolences to Cobb’s family and recognized the gravity of the situation for the troopers involved. He mentioned that Trooper Londegran would remain on paid leave while the Department of Public Safety’s Internal Affairs Division conducts an investigation. The State Patrol is also conducting a critical incident review to evaluate their training and policies.

If convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, Trooper Londegran could face a prison sentence of 128 to 180 months, according to Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.

In conclusion, the charges against Trooper Londegran highlight the tragic nature of the incident and the need for a thorough investigation. The State Patrol and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office are taking this matter seriously and striving to provide justice for Ricky Cobb II and his family..

1. Trooper charged in fatal shooting of St. Cloud man allegedly fleeing traffic stop in Minneapolis
2. Fatal shooting of St. Cloud man allegedly fleeing traffic stop in Minneapolis by trooper.