BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Two law enforcement officers and another first responder were shot and killed early Sunday morning in Burnsville.
The City of Burnsville said the two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter/paramedic were responding to a domestic abuse call when they were fatally shot.
The city identified the three men killed in the line of duty as Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, along with firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth.
First responders were called to the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South just before 2 a.m. on a report of a domestic situation involving a man who was barricaded in a house with family members, according to a release from the City of Burnsville.
After the arrival of the officers, the situation "escalated into gunfire" with the responders, according to the release.
Drew Evans with the Minnesota BCA confirmed during a Sunday press conference that seven children, aged 2-15, were in the home when officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner officially identified the gunman as Shannon Cortez Gooden and revealed that the 38-year-old suspect died by suicide.
On Monday, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed Elmstrand suffered "multiple gunshot wounds," Ruge was shot in the chest, and Finseth was shot in the arm and torso.
A fourth police officer, Burnsville Police Sgt. Adam Medlicott was wounded and taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the city. He was treated and released at HCMC and recovering at home.
The suspect was reportedly dead by 8 a.m. and later in the morning, other family members left the home safely.
Elmstrand joined the Burnsville Police Department as a community services officer in 2017 and was promoted to police officer in 2019. The 27-year-old worked in the department's mobile command staff, peer team, Honor Guard and field training unit.
Ruge joined the department in 2020. The 27-year-old was part of its crisis negotiations team and was a physical evidence officer, the city said.
Finseth, who was 40, joined the city of Burnsville as a firefighter/paramedic in February 2019. He was part of the public safety team's SWAT unit and served as a water rescue trainer. He was also on the city's health and wellness committee and served as a volunteer youth baseball coach.
“We are heartbroken. Our law enforcement community is heartbroken," Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Executive Director Brian Peters said in a press release. "We’re just devastated at the horrific loss. These heroes leave behind loved ones and a community who will forever remember their bravery and dedication to keeping Minnesotans safe.”
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) posted to social media that it is investigating the incident.
WATCH: Burnsville news conference:
Gov. Tim Walz issued the following statement on Sunday:
“We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day. Today, the families of these public servants received the call they knew was possible but hoped would never come. My heart is with those grieving families – the State of Minnesota stands ready to support in any way we can. This is a tragic loss for our state.”
Multiple local police departments have sent their condolences to those affected by the incident, including the West St. Paul Police.
Minneapolis police posted on social media Sunday morning, asking for the public to keep the police department in their prayers.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar posted to social media that three officers were shot in the incident.
The City of Burnsville scheduled a press conference to discuss the incident at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
This is a developing story, stay with KARE 11 for more details.
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