On February 18, 2024, during a police standoff in Burnsville, Minnesota, United States, Shannon Gooden shot and killed police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth. Another police officer was injured by gunfire. After firing at the first responders, Gooden killed himself with a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The officers were responding to a 911 call that reported an alleged sexual assault.[3][4] Federal authorities alleged that the weapons Gooden used were obtained illegally via straw purchase and filed criminal charges against his girlfriend.[5]
| 2024 Burnsville shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Burnsville, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Date | February 18, 2024 c. 5:30 a.m. (CST) |
Attack type | Mass shooting, murder-suicide, triple-murder, shootout |
| Weapon | Multiple firearms, including two AR-15-style rifles obtained via straw purchase[1][2] |
| Deaths | 4 (including the perpetrator) |
| Injured | 2 (1 by gunfire) |
| Perpetrators | Shannon Gooden |
| Assailants | Shannon Gooden |
| Charges | Ashley Anne Dyrdahl:
|
Background
editPerpetrator
editThe perpetrator, identified as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden (December 30, 1985 – February 18, 2024), committed suicide after firing more than 100 rounds at the responders.[6][7][4] Gooden, who had a violent criminal history dating as early as December 2004, lost his firearm ownership rights following his conviction in an August 2007 felony assault for a fight with family members at the Burnsville Center, but he unsuccessfully attempted to restore his firearm rights in 2020.[8] Gooden had previously been accused of intimate partner violence multiple times in court, and at least three women sought orders of protection from him. One ex-girlfriend said Gooden also got other family members to assault her, and that he had previously fantasized about dying in a shootout with the police, in an attempt to keep her from getting them involved. The woman and Gooden had three children together, who were among the seven children overall present in the house during the shootout.[9]
According to authorities, Gooden fired multiple guns during the incident.[10] One of the firearms, an AR-15, was acquired on January 5, 2024, at a local gun store via a straw purchase by Ashley Anne Dyrdahl.[11]
Victims
editThe first responders killed in the shooting were Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, along with firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40. In addition, another police officer, Adam Medlicott, 38, was wounded in the shooting and discharged from the hospital the following day.[12] A child who lived at the home was cut by flying glass after Gooden shot through a window.[13]
Events
editIn Burnsville, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, a woman called 911 at 1:50 a.m. local time on Sunday, February 18, 2024, to report an alleged sexual assault by her husband and to request a police presence at her house. The caller provided her address, but the call cut off shortly after. The 911 dispatcher called back several times in an attempt to gain more information.[14]
Officers from the Burnsville Police Department arrived at the house just before 2:00 a.m. Gooden initially said he was unarmed. Officers entered the home and attempted to negotiate with him for several hours, before Gooden opened fire without warning at 5:26 a.m. A paramedic was subsequently struck by gunfire and killed while attempting to offer aid to the officers. Gooden continued firing from inside the house at police, including shooting through a window,[15][16] until the standoff ended with him killing himself with a single gunshot to the head. Officers found his body and cleared the house at 10:15 a.m.[15][16]
The investigation showed that Gooden fired over 100 rifle rounds during the shooting and found several firearms, including one equipped with a binary trigger and a large amount of ammunition at the scene.[15][16] At some point during the incident Gooden had been shot in the leg.[13][2]
Reaction
editStatements
editThe shooting was the subject of national media coverage in the United States.
Angie Craig, whose United States House of Representative district includes Burnsville, said, "Today serves as another solemn reminder that those who protect our communities do so at great personal risk. We must do everything in our power to prevent tragedies like these before they happen and hold violent criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law."[17]
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and United States Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed condolences to the families of the victims.[17] Walz ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-staff.[18]
Violence Free Minnesota, an anti-domestic-violence advocacy group, said it considered the victims of the shooting to be the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th known victims of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2024, and that they represent the way domestic violence "touches and impacts communities and people beyond those just in the relationship".[19]
Minnesota Legislature
editFollowing the shooting, members of the Minnesota Legislature discussed implementing stricter gun storage, safety, and reporting requirements, as well as providing additional services for victims of domestic violence.[20] Later, following the indictments against Dyrdahl, they also began to discuss tightening the penalties for making straw gun purchases, as well as banning binary triggers like the ones on the guns used in the shooting.[21]
Memorials
editOn February 24, a convoy of several hundred cars, fire engines, tow trucks and semitrucks traveled across Burnsville to commemorate the deceased first responders and to raise donations for their families. The convoy, which was organized primarily via Facebook, began and ended at Burnsville Center, lasting several hours.[22][23][24] A memorial processional was also announced for Wednesday, February 28, which resulted in changes to the local bus schedule for that day.[25] Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District also cancelled all classes on the day of the memorial.[26]
Weapons indictment
editAshley Anne Dyrdahl, a former girlfriend of Gooden, was federally indicted on March 14 for allegedly straw purchasing five firearms on Gooden's behalf, two of which were used during the shooting. According to U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger, "The indictment makes it clear that Dyrdahl and Gooden knew exactly what they were doing…That he could not purchase firearms because he was a convicted felon. So instead, he would pick out specific weapons and she would buy them in violation of federal law — placing powerful weapons in the hands of a violent, convicted felon." Dyrdahl had previously petitioned to have Gooden's gun rights restored, which was denied. If convicted, Dyrdahl faces up to fifteen years in prison.[27]
Dyrdahl was charged with one count of conspiracy, five counts of straw purchasing, and five counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Among the guns she purchases were two AR-15-style firearms. She pleaded not guilty to the charges at a hearing on March 14, 2024.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mayerle, Jennifer (February 26, 2024). "Firearm Shannon Gooden used in Burnsville shooting that killed 3 responders was straw purchase". CBS News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024.
- ^ a b https://www.ammoland.com/2024/03/burnsville-woman-indicted-for-straw-purchasing-firearms-used-in-fatal-shooting-of-3-first-responders/#axzz8eCDmUrbv
- ^ "Several Burnsville police officers shot: 2 officers,1 first responder killed". FOX 9. February 18, 2024. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Brown, Kyle (February 22, 2024). "BCA: Suspect fired more than 100 rounds in Burnsville shooting that killed 3 first responders". KSTP-TV. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Strande, Bill (March 14, 2024). "Burnsville shooter's girlfriend pleads not guilty after being charged with buying guns in shooting". CBS Minnesota. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ Schuman, David; Kaplan, Jonah; Mohs, Marielle; Rantala, Jason (February 18, 2024). "2 officers, 1 paramedic killed in Burnsville, Minnesota; suspect also dead - CBS Minnesota". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ Chapman, Reg (February 19, 2024). "Burnsville shooting suspect identified as Shannon Gooden". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Burnsville shooting suspect: Shannon Gooden had lost right to own guns". FOX 9. February 19, 2024. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Sepic, Matt (February 21, 2024). "BCA releases search warrant, new details in Burnsville domestic violence call". MPR News. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Raguse, Lou (February 21, 2024). "Search warrant reveals Burnsville shooter used multiple guns to fire at officers, firefighter". KARE-TV. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ "Feds: Girlfriend straw purchased firearms for Burnsville shooter". Archived from the original on 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ "Burnsville gunman killed himself after shooting that killed 2 officers, 1 paramedic". MPR News. February 20, 2024. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Walsh, Paul (March 7, 2024). "911 transcript reveals moment police comforted kids after Burnsville first responders killed". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Burnsville shooting: 911 call transcript". FOX 9. February 22, 2024. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c Griswold, David (February 22, 2024). "BCA: Burnsville shooter fired more than 100 rifle rounds at law enforcement". KARE 11. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Walsh, Paul (February 21, 2024). "Medical examiner: Shannon Gooden killed himself after fatally shooting 2 Burnsville officers and medic". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Sarnoff, Leah (February 19, 2024). "'Horrific': 2 police officers, firefighter shot and killed in Minnesota, officials say". ABC News. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ "Governor Walz Orders Flags to Fly at Half Staff to Honor Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and Burnsville Firefighter Adam Finseth". Minnesota.gov. February 19, 2024. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Crann, Tom; Bui, Ngoc (February 23, 2024). "Violence Free Minnesota discusses intimate partner violence in the wake of Burnsville shooting". MPR News. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Ferguson, Dana (February 21, 2024). "Minnesota lawmakers consider firearm reporting, storage requirements after Burnsville shooting". MPR News. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Cummings, Caroline (21 March 2024). "In wake of Burnsville shooting, Minnesota Legislature discusses increasing penalties for straw gun purchases". CBS News.
- ^ Duxter, Adam (February 23, 2024). "Community tribute convoy planned to honor Burnsville fallen first responders Saturday". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Kristi (February 24, 2024). "Wife of slain Burnsville police officer releases statement as convoys flood the streets Saturday". Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Rantala, Jason (February 24, 2024). "Convoy honoring fallen Burnsville first responders surpasses expectations". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "Detours planned Wednesday afternoon for memorial traffic". Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. February 27, 2024. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024.
- ^ "School canceled in Burnsville Wednesday due to road closures for funeral honoring fallen first responders". CBS News. February 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Mayerle, Jennifer; Ali, Ubah; Bettin, Anthony; Premo, Cole (15 March 2024). "Shannon Gooden's girlfriend accused of straw purchasing weapons used in Burnsville first responder killings". CBS News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.