Family grieves at Northside park for man killed by state trooper
Rashad Cobb, the twin brother of Ricky Cobb II, gets ready to release a balloon in honor of his brother.
Text and photos by David Pierini, Editor
Friends and family gathered at North Mississippi Regional Park in North Minneapolis Monday evening to remember Ricky Cobb II, who was killed by a Minnesota state trooper earlier that day during a routine traffic stop.
More than 75 people, many wearing red, Cobb’s favorite color, attended the brief vigil and released balloons skyward.
“Shout his name. Ricky Cobb,” said one mourner and the crowd amplified his name with each chant.
Cobb’s name joins a grim list of other Black men who died in police custody or during traffic stops in the Twin Cities. Among the well-known names are Philando Castile in Saint Anthony (2016), George Floyd inMinneapolis (2020) and Duante Wright in Brooklyn Park (2021).
“On behalf of the family, thank you for your love and support,” the Rev. Madeline Williams. “We’re going to honor this man, this son, this father, this brother. Let us lift him up.”
Cobb’s family and friends gathered briefly at North Mississippi Regional Park, which was off I-94 and not far from where Cobb died.
State police said troopers stopped the 33-year-old Spring Lake Park man on I-94 near Dowling Avenue for driving without tail lights. Troopers learned he was wanted on a warrant in Ramsey County and proceeded to detain him. He refused to exit, according to a state police statement, and drove off.
Moments later, a trooper fired at Cobb but the statement did not say what led to the shooting.
Among those left behind are five children and his twin brother, Rashad.
Danielle Pickett, the mother of two of Ricky Cobb’s kids, said he was always joking and laughing and loved his kids “more than anything in life.”
She asked that state police immediately release dash- and body-cam video of the shooting.
“I don’t want them to take their time because all that does is look like a cover-up,” Pickett said. “If you made a mistake on the job say that. Give people the peace, the peace we need.”
Cobb’s favorite color was red and loved ones wore red and released red balloons.
Butchy Austin, a trumpet player for Brass Solidarity, a band that formed following the police murder of George Floyd, played Amazing Grace.
Cobb’s friends and family gathered in one another after the balloons were released.