Burnsville, Minnesota – A tragic incident unfolded in Burnsville, Minnesota as two police officers and a firefighter were shot and killed by a man named Shannon Cortez Gooden. The Hennepin County medical examiner’s office confirmed that Gooden died by suicide, putting an end to the violent encounter that took three innocent lives.
Gooden, 38, took his own life shortly after fatally shooting Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, as well as Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. The harrowing events began when a 911 call was made reporting a domestic situation involving an armed man barricaded in a home with family members. The residence, located in a wooded neighborhood in Burnsville, was being rented out by the homeowners, and both Gooden and his girlfriend listed the address as their residence.
After police negotiators attempted to reason with Gooden for an extended period, the situation escalated when the suspect opened fire on the officers inside the home. Despite the efforts of the officers to return fire, the tragic outcome had already been set in motion. Multiple shots were fired from within the two-story house, leading to the devastating loss of life.
During the chaos, a heart-wrenching 911 call was made from inside the home, reporting that the father had been shot in the leg and later took his own life. The other family members managed to escape the home safely, and the city of Burnsville assured the public that they would provide updates as the investigation progressed.
This shocking tragedy has left the community in mourning, as the loss of the officers and firefighter has undoubtedly sent shockwaves throughout the city of Burnsville. The investigation into the events leading up to this horrific incident is ongoing, with authorities working tirelessly to piece together the sequence of events that led to this senseless act of violence.