DALLAS, TEXAS – In their Dallas home, the family of Corey Cobb-Bey grapples with conflicting emotions in the aftermath of the tragic events that unfolded recently. Cobb-Bey, who was involved in the fatal shooting of a Dallas police officer and the injury of two others, left behind a family struggling to reconcile their love for him with the horror of his actions.
The last encounter between Cobb-Bey and his older brother, Ladarrian Brooks, occurred earlier this month at a Family Dollar parking lot. Brooks, who was preparing to unload his tractor-trailer, spotted his brother’s distinctive white Buick and approached him in the store. Their brief but warm exchange would later take on a much deeper significance, as it was the last time Brooks would see his brother alive.
Cobb-Bey, 30, later carried out what Dallas police described as a premeditated attack, fatally shooting Officer Darron Burks and injuring two other officers in Oak Cliff. The incident led to a cross-city pursuit that ended in Lewisville, where Cobb-Bey was shot and killed by police after raising a shotgun at them.
The news of Cobb-Bey’s actions left his family and friends in shock. They struggled with the difficult task of grieving for someone they loved, while also acknowledging the pain and loss experienced by the victims’ families. The family expressed deep sorrow for the officers and their families, recognizing the profound impact of the tragedy.
At a vigil held for Officer Burks, hundreds of mourners gathered to honor the memory of a beloved former teacher who had recently transitioned into a career in law enforcement. Burks’ life, marked by dedication and service, was celebrated by a community now left to mourn his untimely death.
Cobb-Bey’s father, Emery Cobb, declined to be interviewed but conveyed his deep condolences to the families of the officers involved. He struggled to comprehend how the events of that day could align with the values he had tried to instill in his son. The events seemed completely out of character, leaving the family to question how things had escalated to such a tragic outcome.
Cobb-Bey had identified as a “Moorish American National,” a reference to the Moorish Science Temple of America, a religious sect dating back to 1913. While not all followers of this faith align with the sovereign citizen movement, which challenges U.S. laws and has historically clashed with law enforcement, Cobb-Bey’s beliefs appeared to have influenced his actions. His family, however, was unaware of any extremist ideology he may have adopted and remembered him as a hard-working, gentle individual with a strong faith.
In the days leading up to the shooting, Cobb-Bey’s social media posts became increasingly concerning. In one video, he expressed paranoia, believing he was being followed. His brother, worried by the tone of these posts, reached out to him, but it was already too late to intervene.
The family now faces the daunting task of grieving while coming to terms with the impact of Cobb-Bey’s actions. They hope to remember the good in him, though they acknowledge the harm he caused cannot be ignored. The memory of their last encounter—a simple exchange at a Family Dollar—will stay with Brooks, even as he grapples with the devastating events that followed.
Online, strangers have discovered Cobb-Bey’s social media presence and left comments reflecting the anger and pain his actions have caused. This has added to the complexity of the family’s grief, as they navigate public scrutiny in the wake of such a tragedy.
This story is a reminder of the deep and often conflicting emotions that arise in the aftermath of such events. It also underscores the pain felt by all families involved, as they seek to understand and heal from an unimaginable loss.
