Minnesota is mourning the loss of two police officers and a paramedic after they were killed in the line of duty on Sunday.
According to Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, officers were dispatched to a home in Burnsville, a suburb close to Minneapolis, around 1:30 a.m. regarding a domestic dispute.
Police Officers Paul Elmstrand (27) and Matthew Ruge (27) along with Firefighter Adam Finseth (40) were shot & killed in Burnsville, MN responding to a call. Shannon Gooden is the alleged, deceased shooter.
There is a war on police and it’s killing some of our finest Americans.… pic.twitter.com/w2qA2VeUXm
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 19, 2024
He reported that several people were barricaded inside the home with an armed suspect. Seven of the victims trapped in the home were children ages two to 15.
Evans stated that negotiations lasted a few hours when the gunman opened fire on police.
Officers Paul Elmstrand, 27, and Matthew Ruge, 27, along with firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, were killed by the suspect. Another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, 38, was also shot. He was released on Monday from the hospital and is currently recovering at home.
SAY THEIR NAMES
Paul Elmstrand
Matthew Ruge
Adam FinsethBrutally gunned down by a criminal in Minnesota. They dedicated their lives to helping and protecting others.
Pray for their families 🙏🏻💔 pic.twitter.com/7EGBnJNSuR
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 19, 2024
The gunman was identified on Monday night as Shannon Gooden. The 38-year-old’s girlfriend made the call to 911, accusing him of endangering one of her children. Gooden was found dead in the house around 8 a.m., committing suicide before the SWAT team was able to apprehend him.
Gooden’s girlfriend and all seven children were unharmed and escorted to safety.
Police Chief Tanya Schwartz stated that the department was “hurting” after Sunday’s tragic event.
“Today, three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes,” Schwartz said. “Every day we pray that they go home to their families. And today that’s not happening. We’re heartbroken. We are going to need time to be together. Our families need time to grieve.”
The three heroes received a salute from officers from across the state as they were being transported from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office. They were joined by several hospital staff and members of the community wishing to pay their respects.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff and suggested that anyone walking by take a moment to remember the fallen heroes. In an X post, he said that “the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville.”
We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our police officers and first responders make every day. My heart is with their families today and the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) February 18, 2024