Cook's ex-girlfriend files lawsuit alleging physical abuse; Vikings RB denies claims
A former girlfriend of Minnesota Vikings' Dalvin Cook filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing the running back of assault, battery, and false imprisonment, according to a Dakota County District Court lawsuit obtained by Rochelle Olson and Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune.
Gracelyn Trimble, a U.S. Army sergeant currently stationed in Italy, is accusing Cook of "giving (her) a concussion, leaving a scar on (her) face, and taking (her) through hell," according to the lawsuit. Trimble also claims that Cook held her hostage in his Inver Grove Heights home on Nov. 19, 2020.
Trimble is reportedly seeking unspecified monetary damages. Trimble's representative engaged in settlement talks with Cook's lawyer, David Valentini, before filing the lawsuit, but an agreement wasn't reached, per Olson and Goessling.
The 29-year-old claims in the lawsuit that she flew to Minnesota to break up with Cook and get her belongings from his home. Trimble said she entered through the garage and took a mace with her that she stored at the house.
According to details from the lawsuit, Cook became angry when Trimble asked him to help gather her things. Trimble said Cook then "grabbed her arm, and slung her whole body over the couch, slamming her face into the coffee table and causing her lower forehead and the bridge of her nose to bust open."
She attempted to spray mace at Cook, but he overpowered her, and the mace went into her eyes, according to the lawsuit. Trimble said Cook assaulted her again after she went to the shower. She claims that she then grabbed a gun from Cook's bedroom and called a friend before Cook overheard the call and beat her with a broomstick.
Trimble later sought treatment for her injuries, telling medical staff she had been in an ATV accident, according to Olson and Goessling. Trimble said she suffered a concussion, several deep cuts, and bruises from the incident.
However, Valentini responded to the lawsuit by saying Cook was the victim of domestic abuse, and Trimble is trying to "extort him for millions of dollars."
The lawyer said Trimble illegally broke into Cook's residence and assaulted him and two houseguests. Valentini said Cook was defending himself, adding that Trimble used mace on him and held him hostage with a firearm for "several hours," according to The Associated Press' Dave Campbell. Valentini also said Trimble fell to the ground when Cook attempted to stop her from attacking one of his guests.
"While Mr. Cook and Sgt. Trimble had a short-term relationship over several months, she became emotionally abusive, physically aggressive and confrontational, and repeatedly attempted to provoke Mr. Cook," Valentini said.
Neither Trimble nor Cook reportedly contacted police or filed a report with authorities about the incident. The two reportedly saw each other off and on before permanently breaking up in May.
The Vikings released a statement, saying they "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."