Reaction to I-94 Incident Body Cam Video: Trooper’s Use of Lethal Force Sparks Controversy
Law enforcement officials have released body camera footage of a fatal shooting incident that occurred on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, where a state trooper killed a suspect. The video, made available to the public in less than two days, has sparked both public outrage and legal discussions due to the troopers’ actions and the lack of clear justification provided.
In the footage, troopers can be heard repeatedly asking 33-year-old Ricky Cobb II to step out of his vehicle and hand over his keys. Despite questioning their motives, Cobb does not receive a satisfactory answer. Legal expert, Defense attorney Allen Al-Zouhayli with Ram Law, argues that officers do not need to provide specific reasons for requesting someone to exit their vehicle. However, officers must have probable cause to initiate a traffic stop and are obligated to inform drivers of the reason behind the stop.
“If the officer pulls somebody over, they should comply with what the officer is directing them to do,” said Al-Zouhayli. “They can also order all the passengers in the vehicle to step out of the vehicle. And that’s for officer safety.”
As troopers attempt to remove Cobb from his car, the vehicle suddenly accelerates, prompting gunshots to be fired as captured by a dash camera. The Minnesota State Patrol has confirmed that it was the trooper on the passenger side who shot Cobb.
Legal expert Mike Bryant from Bradshaw & Bryant PLLC points out that the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office had issued an alert for Cobb’s felony violation, which gave troopers probable cause to extend the scope of the stop.
“Then after he takes off, they actually run back and they asked for permission to pursue. They don’t just go right into pursuit of the car,” stated Bryant.
When asked about the troopers’ use of lethal force, Bryant believes their actions were justified, saying, “It looks like they had justification. There was a danger created that was heightened versus some of the other cases.”
Contrary to legal opinions, activists, as well as Cobb’s family and friends, are condemning the troopers’ actions as “reckless.” They are now demanding the immediate termination and legal charges against the troopers involved. On Wednesday, they gathered at the Hennepin County Government Center, calling for accountability.
“I would like those officers to man up, and let’s bring justice forth,” expressed Nyra Fields-Miller, Cobb’s mother.
In response to the incident, Governor Tim Walz has personally reached out to Cobb’s family and has promised a thorough investigation to determine what occurred.
The ongoing investigation intends to bring clarity to the events leading up to Cobb’s shooting and to address the concerns raised by both legal experts and activists. The troopers involved may have to defend their actions as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension conducts further inquiries.