Ryan Londregan: Minnesota trooper accused of fatally shooting man granted release without bail

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA: A Minnesota State Patrol trooper charged with murder and manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop last year, appeared in the Hennepin County District Court on Monday, January 29, afternoon. 

As per Fox News, the trooper has been granted release without bail by a judge. He can remain free without bail while awaiting trial.

'It's a start to something' 

As per CBS news, trooper Ryan Londregan must surrender his passport and avoid contact with witnesses and Cobb's relatives, the judge ruled.

The hearing was the first since Londregan was charged with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Cobb, a 33-year-old man.

"It’s a start to something," Cobb’s twin brother, Rashad Cobb, said of the legal proceedings. "And I thank God for that."

According to defense lawyer Chris Madel, Londregan was taking action to keep himself and a colleague safe. After the hearing, Madel was flanked by numerous active and retired police officers as he gave a brief interview to the media.

"Thank you for showing up and we appreciate it," he said. "Onward with the case."

The shooting took place in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the world's racial justice rallies following the police killing of George Floyd over four years prior. Officer Derek Chauvin, at the time, received a 22 1/2 year sentence for second-degree murder in that case.

How did Cobb die? 

According to the criminal complaint, per Fox News, two other troopers stopped Cobb on July 31, 2023 on Interstate 94 after noticing that the Ford Fusion Cobb was driving had no lights.

Brett Seide, one of the troopers, looked up Cobb's record and discovered that he was wanted in adjacent Ramsey County for breaking a protection order. After the troopers inquired about this to Ramsey County representatives, who requested that Cobb be taken into custody.

According to the lawsuit, Londregan came and proceeded to Cobb's passenger-side door while Seide approached the driver's side. Cobb was requested to exit the vehicle by the troopers. While Londregan reached inside, unlocked the doors, and started to open the passenger door, Seide informed Cobb that he was under arrest. Cobb allegedly moved into drive after that and let up on the brake.

Londregan fired his handgun twice at Cobb, striking him both times in the chest, the complaint said.

The car kept moving before striking a concrete median about a quarter-mile away. Cobb died at the scene. Seide and trooper Garrett Erickson said they believed lethal force was necessary, according to a court document filed by the defense.

"At that time, I knew that Trooper Londregan and I were in danger of being run over by Cobb’s car, being hit by an oncoming car on the highway, or otherwise being dragged away at a high rate of speed," Seide said, according to the filing.

Cobb’s sister, Octavia Ruffin, said as she left the courtroom on Monday that she wants justice for her brother and nothing more.

She said, "We’re coming respectfully. We don’t want no drama, no violence, no nothing. Justice for Ricky Cobb II. We will get that."