Two police officers and a paramedic were tragically shot and killed while responding to a domestic abuse call in Burnsville, Minnesota. The shooter also died, according to authorities. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz revealed that the victims had responded to a call about a “family in danger.” They were called to a residence where a man was reportedly armed and barricaded with family members. The shooting occurred approximately three hours after the police arrived, with multiple children present in the home at the time, as reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The city of Burnsville stated that Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, as well as firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, were killed in the incident. Another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, was injured but is believed to have non-life-threatening injuries. Following the incident, a shelter-in-place order was issued for residents in the area, which was later lifted as authorities continued their investigation.
The tragedy has left the law enforcement community in a state of devastation, as expressed by Brian Peters, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. The loss of these heroes has deeply affected their loved ones and the community they served.
The Burnsville Police Department identified the fallen officers and paramedic as Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, and Adam Finseth. Elmstrand had been with the department since 2017 and was a part of various units within the force, while Ruge joined in 2020 and was involved in crisis negotiations. Finseth had been serving as a firefighter-paramedic in Burnsville since 2019.
The tragedy has sparked sadness and shock among the wider community, including retired firefighter Pat Knaeble, who described the incident as a huge fluke, emphasizing the rarity of such events and the tremendous loss. The shooting has also drawn attention from national figures, such as Joe Gamaldi, who highlighted the increase in officer shootings and called for an end to the “war on cops.”
Similarly, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Minneapolis police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed their thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families, as well as for the Burnsville Police Department. The incident has deeply impacted Burnsville, a city known for its safety and strong sense of community.
As authorities in Burnsville continue to investigate the tragic shooting, the community mourns the loss of these courageous individuals and reflects on the sacrifices made by law enforcement and first responders in keeping their fellow citizens safe.