BURNSVILLE, Minnesota – Court records reveal that the man who fatally shot two Minnesota police officers and a first responder was prohibited from owning a firearm and attempted to overturn the lifelong state ban four years ago. The shooter has been identified as Shannon Gooden, 38, who had several guns and large amounts of ammunition when he opened fire on law enforcement officers while barricaded inside a home with seven children in Burnsville, Minnesota.
The children, between the ages of 2 and 15, were inside the home at the time of the shooting, according to Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Officers were attempting to negotiate with the suspect when he began shooting, resulting in the deaths of police officers Paul Elmstrand, 27, and Matthew Ruge, 27, as well as Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic, city officials said.
Gooden, who was prohibited by state law from possessing firearms after being convicted of second-degree assault in 2007, made an unsuccessful attempt to reverse the ban in 2020. His attorney argued that there was “good cause” to do so because Gooden was “not a dangerous criminal” or a “potential risk to the community.” However, a judge denied the motion to lift the ban, and no additional appeals or motions were filed.
The fatal shooting has been described as a “tragedy” for the families of the first responders, as well as for Gooden’s family. The Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is currently investigating the incident. According to authorities, there had been no prior calls for service at the home or regarding the suspected shooter.
This devastating incident highlights the importance of examining the laws and regulations surrounding firearm ownership and possession, especially in cases involving individuals with a history of violent behavior. The tragic loss of lives and the impact on the families and community serve as a somber reminder of the need for effective measures to prevent such horrific events from occurring in the future.