Burnsville, Minnesota – A federal grand jury in Burnsville is currently investigating the tragic shooting that resulted in the deaths of three first responders last month. The shooter’s ex-girlfriend, Noemi del Carmen Torres, revealed that she was summoned to testify before the secret proceedings earlier this week.
Torres, who lived with the shooter for a decade and shared children with him, expressed fear for her life during her testimony. She detailed the shooter’s history of possessing firearms and how she believed he would harm her. The shooter, Shannon Cortez Gooden, was prohibited from owning firearms when he used multiple weapons to unleash 100 rounds during the standoff that claimed the lives of two officers and a firefighter-paramedic before taking his own life.
Gooden’s criminal record prohibited him from possessing any firearms or ammunition. Despite a failed attempt to regain his gun rights in 2020, he was able to obtain weapons illegally through a “straw purchase.” This practice involves a person legally buying a firearm on behalf of someone who is prohibited from owning one.
Law enforcement seized several firearms and a significant amount of ammunition at the scene of the shooting. They also discovered cartridge casings that indicated Gooden had fired over 100 rounds at authorities and first responders.
Torres testified without legal representation about her past with Gooden and his persistent desire to possess guns despite the legal restrictions. She described his abusive behavior towards her and his use of knives for protection, which added to her fear.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota declined to confirm or deny the grand jury’s activities, as the process is confidential until criminal indictments are made. Torres mentioned that she did not recognize the other individuals who testified alongside her.
The gun store owner where one of the weapons was obtained emphasized that they followed all required procedures before the sale. The buyer passed a background check before acquiring the firearm, demonstrating the challenges of preventing firearms from reaching prohibited individuals.