ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has released new details about a deadly shooting in Burnsville that resulted in the deaths of two police officers and a firefighter/paramedic. According to officials, the shooter, identified as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden, fired more than 100 rifle rounds at law enforcement.
The incident began when officers responded to a call at Gooden’s home just before 2 a.m. Gooden initially claimed to be unarmed and said there were children inside the home. After about three-and-a-half hours of negotiation, Gooden opened fire on the officers without warning. As a result, three officers, Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand, and Adam Medlicott, were shot inside the home.
During the exchange of gunfire, Officers Medlicott and Daniel Wical returned fire, hitting Gooden in the leg. Gooden then shot Ruge and Medlicott a second time while they were moving to an armored vehicle parked in the driveway. Additionally, firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth was struck by gunfire while attempting to render aid to the officers. Tragically, Finseth, Ruge, and Elmstrand were pronounced dead at HCMC, while Medlicott was also transported to HCMC and later released.
The standoff continued as Gooden continued firing at law enforcement from inside the home, eventually taking his own life to end the standoff. Investigators recovered several firearms and a large amount of ammunition from the scene. It was also revealed that Gooden was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous felony assault conviction. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is now investigating how Gooden was able to obtain multiple firearms used in the deadly shooting.
The release of this new information has sparked calls for the BCA to investigate the initial 911 call, the use of force by the officers, and whether there are any charging recommendations for the Dakota County Attorney’s Office to review. Body camera and squad car camera footage is also under review as part of the ongoing investigation.
The tragic shooting in Burnsville has left the community reeling and raised important questions about law enforcement response to high-risk situations, as well as the enforcement of gun control measures in cases involving individuals with prior criminal convictions. As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the events leading up to this devastating incident.