Bodycam video of fatal shooting on I-94 released
State officials have released bodycam video that shows part of the traffic stop on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis that left a man dead Monday morning.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) held a press conference to discuss and release the video at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, a day after the State Patrol said it was “working expeditiously” to release the video after giving family members of the driver — identified by sources as 33-year-old Ricky Cobb II — a chance to see it first. Authorities confirmed they did give his family a chance to watch it before Tuesday afternoon’s press conference.
You can watch the full press conference, including the body and dash camera footage, in the video below.
RELATED: BCA investigating after driver killed while trying to flee traffic stop on I-94
According to DPS, a trooper saw a Ford Fusion without any taillights on I-94 near Lowry Avenue just after 1:50 a.m. Monday. The trooper pulled the driver, Cobb, over and then learned he was wanted for a felony-level violation.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it issued a “KOPS alert” for Cobb over the weekend, as investigators wanted to question him about a violation of an order for protection.
This still frame from a State Patrol trooper's bodycam shows the moment before Ricky Cobb starts to drive off from a traffic stop on I-94 on July 31, 2023, and is shot by the trooper. (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
After troopers learned about the alert, they tried to detain Cobb, but DPS says he refused to get out of the vehicle. Troopers then tried to physically remove him from the vehicle, but he started driving away. A trooper then fired a gun, striking Cobb multiple times.
Authorities says troopers provided aid to Cobb until medics arrived. While the agency still hasn’t confirmed whether Cobb died at the scene or at a hospital, a medical examiner report released Tuesday states that Cobb died at the scene.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the use-of-force incident.
“The one way that I would classify it is this is just a tremendously sad situation. It’s sad from every perspective and for everyone involved,” Col. Matt Langer, head of the State Patrol, said.
The video appears to show one trooper talking to Cobb at the front driver’s side window with another trooper at the front passenger’s window and a third trooper at the back of the car. After trying to get the driver to exit the video, the driver’s door opens and the trooper tries to grab the wheel before the car takes off forward, knocking the two front troopers to the ground and dragging the driver’s side trooper for about two seconds. Another bodycam video shows the trooper on the passenger’s side had also opened the door right before the car inched forward and was leaning inside just before the car took off.
The gunshots could only be faintly heard in the video, and the trooper on the passenger’s side was the only one who appeared to have his weapon drawn when the car took off. Langer confirmed it was the passenger’s side trooper that fired the shots and added that the State Patrol was also “perplexed” why the gunshots aren’t more clearly audible on the video.
After the car stops a short distance away, the troopers are seen trying to provide aid to Cobb and one is heard telling him, “stay with me.”
The three involved troopers are on standard administrative leave amid the BCA’s investigation. They haven’t yet been publicly identified.
Langer and DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson didn’t answer specific questions about the shooting and investigation, citing the active investigation by the BCA.
“Our goal is for these things to never happen and so when they do happen we shift really quickly into why did it happen and is there absolutely anything we can do in the future to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Langer said.
Cobb’s family held a vigil Monday night where his sister shared her appreciation for the support family members have received.
A press conference was also held early Tuesday afternoon, where family members and community activists demanded the release of the bodycam and dashcam footage.
The BCA’s investigation into the matter continues. After it wraps up, those findings will be presented to prosecutors for review and charging consideration.
Source: KSTP
