
(LibertySociety.com) – A devastating tragedy occurred in Burnsville, Minnesota in the early morning hours of February 18 when a gunman shot a paramedic and two police officers. The officers were responding to a domestic situation shortly before 2 a.m., according to local officials. Shannon Gooden, 38, had reportedly barricaded himself with family members inside of a home. Seven children between the ages of two and 15 were said to be inside. Initial reports from the city indicated that the shootings occurred shortly after police arrived at the scene.
Officers Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth all died from their wounds just four hours later in the emergency room at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Another officer, Sergeant Adam Medlicott was injured but was released from the hospital shortly after the shooting. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) released a statement on February 22, revealing that the police officers were inside the home negotiating with the gunman for over three hours before he suddenly shot them. Finseth was shot while attempting to help the officers.
The statement also noted that Gooden “fired more than 100 rounds at police and first responders.” He shot at police on both floors of the home and fired rounds at the windshield of an armored SWAT vehicle parked outside. Gooden then committed suicide. He was not legally allowed to own a firearm and had been fighting in court over the custody of three of his children, according to court records. BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said that Gooden had “several guns and large amounts of ammunition,” but did not go into detail. The family members inside the home were able to escape without injury.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, expressing his condolences and gratitude for the police and first responders. He ordered state-owned buildings to fly their flags at half-staff. Lawmakers in both chambers of the Minnesota legislature stood for a moment of silence on February 19.
Copyright 2024, LibertySociety.com