BURNSVILLE, Minnesota – A man who killed three first responders during a standoff in Burnsville, Minnesota, took his own life, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office. The man, identified as Shannon Cortez Gooden, 38, died from a gunshot wound to the head. Gooden had barricaded himself in his home, where he had several guns and a large amount of ammunition. Two police officers, Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, as well as emergency medical technician Adam Finseth, were fatally shot during the incident. Fortunately, the seven children inside the home were unharmed.
Court records from Dakota County revealed that Gooden was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous second-degree assault conviction in 2008. Although his probation expired in 2013, a judge had specifically stated that he was not entitled to possess firearms for the remainder of his life. Gooden had filed a petition in 2020 to have his gun rights restored, stating that he had been rehabilitated and expressing deep regret for his past actions.
The petition to restore his gun rights was denied by District County Judge Dannia Edwards, with the Dakota County District Attorney’s Office objecting to the request. Assistant County Attorney Amelia Jadoo cited Gooden’s repeated encounters with law enforcement, including assaults, disorderly conduct, and numerous traffic violations, as evidence of his disregard for obeying the law. Gooden’s attorney, Mathew Higbee, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the denial of the petition.
This tragic incident sheds light on the complexities and challenges surrounding the restoration of gun rights for individuals with a criminal history. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of probation systems and the measures in place to prevent individuals with a history of violence from accessing firearms. The devastating loss of lives in Burnsville serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when gun control laws and regulations are not effectively enforced.