Ricky Cobb II’s twin brother, Rashad Cobb, speaks at a press conference outside the Hennepin County Government Center. / Photos by Chris Juhn 
Octavia Ruffin, the sister of Ricky Cobb II 
Octavia Ruffin, the sister of Ricky Cobb II and family 
Nyra Fields-Miller, the mother of Ricky Cobb II 
Nyra Fields-Miller, the mother of Ricky Cobb II 
Activist Nekima Levy Armstrong 
Nekima Levy Armstrong 
Community activist and St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen 
Activist Spike Moss 
Angela Harrelson, the aunt of George Floyd 
Activist Marcia Howard 
Activists and the family of Ricky Cobb II, a Black man who was shot and killed by Minnesota State Patrol troopers during a traffic stop, held a press conference outside the Hennepin County Government Center Wednesday evening, August 2. Cobb’s family demanded that the Minnesota State Patrol fire the three officers who conducted the traffic stop.
Cobb was initially pulled over in the early hours of Monday morning by the state patrol because his taillights were not on. Trooper Brett Seide learned that Cobb had allegedly violated an order of protection and called in troopers Ryan Londregan and Garrett Erickson for backup. After a short conversation between Cobb and the troopers, Seide and Londregan ordered Cobb out of his vehicle and grabbed the doors. Cobb attempted to drive away while the officers held the vehicle and Londregan shot him several times from the passenger side before he and Seide let go of the vehicle. The officers attempted first aid, but Cobb died at the scene.
A search by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) found that Cobb had a handgun on the floor in the backseat, but Cobb did not mention or reach for the firearm at any point during the stop.
Cobb’s mother, Nyra Fields-Miller, called the days since Monday the worst days of her life.”
“My heart is heavy every day for the last three days,” Fields-Miller said. “Waking up, I have migraines. And I’m hurt.”
“I’m weary, I’ve never been so weary in my entire life,” Fields-Miller said.
Cobb’s sister, Octavia Ruffin, said he was “a good man,” despite what was being said about him.
“He was a provider for all of us, he protected all of us,” Ruffin said. “He didn’t do nothing wrong, and I hope and pray that everyone sees that. Despite his past, he learned from it. He was growing to be a better man.”
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a local civil rights lawyer who is active in the racial justice movement, said the slaying of Cobb was not “the first time that the Minnesota State Troopers have unjustifiably killed a black man.”
Nekima spoke of the settlement agreement recently put in place for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and said that she believed that other police departments engaged in patterns of brutality against their community and should be investigated.
“We asked the Department of Justice to investigate the St. Paul police department. We asked them to look into the surrounding suburbs of Minneapolis. We asked them to look into the [Minnesota] state troopers. And for some reason, they only set their sights on [MPD] when the issue is systemic across the state of Minnesota,” Levy-Armstrong said. “We are not safe as Black people in the state of Minnesota and the brutal murder of Ricky Cobb II proves that once again.”
Levy Armstrong said she did not know if training for police departments could solve policing issues for Black Minnesotans.
“I think a big part of the problem is that they are trained a certain way. But when it comes to Black folks, that training seems to go out the window,” Levy Armstrong said. “So it’s hard to know when you can train away the racism that played a role in their decision.”
The BCA’s investigation into the killing of Cobb is ongoing. Upon completion of the investigation, the BCA will forward its findings to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office. Moriarty released a statement saying her “heart goes out to Mr. Cobb’s family.”
“This is an important decision that impacts everyone in our community, including the family and friends of Ricky Cobb, the troopers who were involved, and our broader community,” Moriarty’s statement read. “I take both police accountability and the integrity of the legal process very seriously. The troopers have been placed on leave and the BCA is investigating the incident.”
A community “Celebration of Black Life Honoring Ricky Cobb II” will take place at George Floyd Square on 38th & Chicago, Saturday, August 5. A pre-event healing space will be open from 1-5 pm, with a rally and candlelight vigil from 5-9 pm.
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Easy way to solve this is don’t run from police. An innocent person has no reason to run
And a good cop would never take a shot like this one did. There was no reason for this cop to fire his weapon and he could have just as easily shot his partner who was standing right next to the driver. Reminds me of that cop Mohamed Noor, who fired across his partner, killing an unarmed Justine Ruszczyk Damond. Hopefully, this cop goes to jail too. As should that 14-year-old in St. Paul who just fatally shot the 12-year-old.
Exactly…. He also had a gun and ever declared it, he already violated a restraining order and tried fleeing. I am so sorry he was shot but, why did he try to evade? Why did he have a gun and not declare it? I have SO MANY questions our Law Enforcement are completely hamstringed these days it would seem.
Early hours of Monday? Nothing to do with church & when you run from the police you get permission for a bad outcome! After midnight is no time to be out unless you’re working or have a good reason for being out!
It doesn’t matter what color he was he had an outstanding warrant, failed to comply with orders given by the officers who were just doing their duty! Then, he initiated the assault when he placed his foot on the accelerator and drove off dragging 2 officers whose lives were clearly in mortal danger on either side of his car. No he no touch whatever caliber gun he in back, he opted for the biggest weapon available, HIS CAR!!