BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Tragedy struck the Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville early Sunday when two police officers and a paramedic were fatally shot while responding to a domestic abuse call. The shooter has also died, according to authorities.
The incident unfolded after police were called to a residence at around 1:50 a.m. on a report of a domestic situation, with a man reportedly armed and barricaded with family members, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. The situation involved seven children, ranging in age from 2 to 15, who were among those present when police arrived.
The responding officers spent a significant amount of time negotiating with the suspect before the suspect opened fire, according to Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. The tragic outcome resulted in the deaths of Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, as well as firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, while one other officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The SWAT team member, Finseth, was providing aid to an injured officer when he was shot, authorities said. The suspect was later found dead, with authorities still investigating the circumstances around the shootout and the suspect’s demise.
The tragic loss of these public servants has left the law enforcement community “heartbroken,” said Brian Peters, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. The victims leave behind loved ones and a community that will forever remember their bravery and dedication to keeping Minnesotans safe.
The community of Burnsville also felt the weight of the tragedy, as residents were asked to avoid the scene and a shelter-in-place order was initially issued and later lifted. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also responded to the scene to assist in the ongoing investigation.
The victims were identified as Elmstrand, 27, who joined the Burnsville Police Department in 2017, and Ruge, 27, who joined the department in 2020. Finseth, 40, had been a firefighter-paramedic in Burnsville since 2019. The community paid tribute to the fallen heroes with a candlelit vigil in front of Burnsville City Hall and an outpouring of support on social media from public figures and law enforcement officials.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks law enforcement and first responders face on a daily basis, an issue that has drawn attention from national figures such as Sen. Amy Klobuchar and the national vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Joe Gamaldi. The community’s grief was palpable, with residents and public safety personnel coming together to honor the fallen heroes during this somber time.