BURNSVILLE, MN – State investigators released new details of the deadly Burnsville shooting, which left three officers dead. The shooter, Shannon Gooden, opened fire on officers inside his home without warning, firing more than 100 rifle rounds, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The incident began when police responded to a report of a sexual assault at Gooden’s home on the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue in Burnsville just before 2 a.m. When officers arrived, Gooden refused to leave the home but claimed to be unarmed and said he had children inside.
After negotiating with Gooden for about 3 1/2 hours, he abruptly opened fire on the officers inside the home without warning. Officers Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand, and Adam Medlicott were shot, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth was also injured while trying to aid the officers.
The standoff ended when Gooden fatally shot himself in the head inside his bedroom. The SWAT team later found his body using a drone, and crime scene personnel recovered several firearms, a large amount of ammunition, and numerous cartridge casings from the scene.
Elmstrand, Ruge, and Finseth were pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center, while Medlicott was treated and released from the hospital to recover at home on Monday.
The Burnsville Police Department requested the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate the incident and the officers’ use of force. The bureau will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office for review.
A public memorial service has been scheduled for the fallen officers, which will be held at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. Additional service details will be available early next week, according to Burnsville city officials.