Dalvin Cook, ex-girlfriend trading allegations over 2020 domestic incident
[anvplayer video=”5069282″ station=”998122″]
A legal fight is underway over an alleged incident at Vikings running back Dalvin Cook’s east metro home last year.
Cook’s ex-girlfriend has filed a civil lawsuit in Dakota County District Court claiming she was the victim of an assault by Cook.
UPDATE: Click the video box further down this page to watch Dalvin Cook’s first comments since news of the civil lausuit against him broke
That lawsuit states that the woman, identified as Gracelyn Trimble, went to Cook’s house to break up with him and he slammed her face into a coffee table, causing her forehead and the bridge of her nose to break open.
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Josh Bynes (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore.[Julio Cortez/Associated Press]
Two other people were inside the home and witnessed the alleged incident, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also states Trimble attempted to point mace toward Cook but was unsuccessful. The lawsuit claims Cook grabbed a gun from his bedroom and pointed it at Trimble’s head.
[anvplayer video=”5069413″ station=”998122″]
Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, claims Cook is the victim of an assault and extortion attempt. Hiller told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that Trimble, who is a sergeant in the U.S. Army, broke into Cook’s home and attacked him roughly a year ago. She then allegedly tried to extort him for millions of dollars, claiming Cook had injured her in the attack she initiated.
Because Trimble broke into Cook’s home, Hiller said, Cook had the right to defend himself under Minnesota’s castle doctrine.
David Valentini, Cook’s lawyer, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that Cook is the victim and that Trimble is trying to wreck his career. Valentini claims Trimble maced Cook and pointed a gun at him.
The Vikings released the following statement:
"We recently received notification from Dalvin Cook’s legal representative regarding a situation that occurred between Dalvin and a female acquaintance in November 2020 and led to an ongoing dispute between the parties. Upon learning of this, we immediately notified the NFL. We are in the process of gathering more information and will withhold further comment at this time."
No criminal complaints have been filed in connection with the alleged incident.