Burnsville, Minnesota – The girlfriend of a man who fatally shot three first responders in February now faces indictments for allegedly buying guns for a convicted felon, a practice known as “straw purchases.” These guns were reportedly used in the tragic incident that took the lives of Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, as well as Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth.
According to authorities, 35-year-old Ashley Anne Dyrdahl is accused of conspiring with the shooter, Shannon Cortez Gooden, to provide him with firearms, despite knowing he was ineligible to possess them due to a prior felony conviction. Gooden, convicted of second-degree assault in Dakota County in 2008, was prohibited from owning guns.
The indictment alleges that Dyrdahl purchased five firearms at Gooden’s request between September 2023 and January 2024, falsely claiming to be the actual buyer and intending to transfer the firearms to Gooden. Gooden allegedly directed Dyrdahl on which guns to purchase through text messages, showing his preference and involvement in the process.
One of the guns purchased by Dyrdahl, a Glock 47 9mm semiautomatic pistol, was obtained from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) on September 21, 2023. Gooden later showed off the gun in a video, displaying it with an extended magazine loaded. Dyrdahl’s interactions with Gooden indicated a level of complicity in his actions.
The firearms allegedly provided by Dyrdahl included semiautomatic AR-15-style lower receivers, one of which had a binary trigger that increased the rate of fire. Gooden reportedly used these weapons to attack first responders on February 18, firing over 100 rounds during the incident. A subsequent search of the couple’s bedroom uncovered a cache of loaded magazines and additional ammunition.
Dyrdahl now faces multiple charges, including conspiracy, straw purchasing, and making false statements during the acquisition of firearms. The case sheds light on the dangers of straw purchases and the potential consequences of illegally providing firearms to individuals barred by law from possessing them. The tragic events in Burnsville serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence in communities across the country.