MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – A vigil was held Sunday evening to honor three first responders who tragically lost their lives in a domestic abuse incident in Minnesota.
The incident unfolded as a domestic abuse incident turned into a deadly armed encounter, resulting in the deaths of two Burnsville police officers and one paramedic. The tragic event shocked the community and led to an outpouring of support and condolences for the families of the fallen heroes.
The vigil, held at the Minnetonka medical examiner’s office, saw the emotional transport of the deceased in a convoy from a hospital in downtown Minneapolis. Law enforcement officers and thousands of community members gathered to pay their respects during the 16-mile procession through metro streets. The fallen first responders were honored by a large group of law enforcement officers and firefighters who saluted them as their caskets, draped in American flags, were carried into vans outside Hennepin Healthcare.
The shooter involved in the incident, who has not been publicly identified, barricaded himself inside a house in Burnsville with multiple children, leading to a deadly confrontation with the first responders. While the assailant was reported to be deceased, the seven children trapped in the house were safely rescued.
Governor Tim Walz expressed his condolences and heartbreak over the tragic loss of the two police officers, Paul Elmstrand, 27, and Matthew Ruge, 27, as well as fire paramedic Adam Finseth, 40. The governor emphasized the heroism of the fallen first responders, who were responding to a call of a family in danger when they were killed.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities recovering numerous firearms from the property. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices that first responders make in the line of duty. The community continues to mourn the loss of the three heroes and stands in solidarity with their families during this difficult time.