BCA investigating after driver killed while trying to flee traffic stop on I-94
State authorities are investigating after a driver was fatally shot while trying to flee a traffic stop Monday morning on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) says a Minnesota State Patrol trooper saw a Ford Fusion without any taillights traveling on I-94 near Lowry Avenue just after 1:50 a.m.
The trooper pulled the driver over and then learned that the driver was wanted by Ramsey County law enforcement for a felony-level violation.
Troopers tried to detain the driver but DPS says the driver refused to get out of the vehicle. Then, as troopers tried to remove the driver from the vehicle, the subject started driving away.
A trooper then fired a gun, striking the subject, DPS says.
DPS says troopers provided aid to the driver until medics could arrive. However, the agency hasn’t said the driver was ever taken to a hospital and it’s unclear where exactly the person died.
Sources identified the man killed as 33-year-old Ricky Cobb II.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office issued a KOPS alert for Cobb over the weekend. Investigators wanted to question him about a felony-level crime of violating an order for protection.
The highway was closed from West Broadway Avenue to 49th Avenue North, which is several miles through north Minneapolis, for several hours Monday morning. Lanes finally reopened at around 9:45 a.m.
Three troopers involved have since been placed on administrative leave amid the investigation, DPS says, as is State Patrol policy.
The State Patrol has requested that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) investigate the use-of-force incident.
DPS adds that the troopers’ body cameras and squad cameras were activated and that video will be reviewed by its investigators.
The State Patrol is also “working expeditiously” to release the video after giving Cobb’s family a chance to see it first, DPS says.
The family held a vigil for Cobb Monday night, where Cobb’s sister shared her appreciation for the support their family has seen.
A press conference has been scheduled for 12 p.m. tomorrow at the St. Paul Governors Mansion where the family will demand that the body and vehicle footage is released.
Along with Cobb’s family, the National President Nasiy Nasir X of the Lion of Judah Armed Forces, National Minister of Information of the New Black Panther Nation, and Sister Toshira will be speaking.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS will continue to update this article as details become available.
