BURNSVILLE, Minn — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating how 38-year-old Shannon Gooden was able to obtain multiple guns -- rifles and handguns -- as well as a lot of ammunition to use to kill two Burnsville police officers and a paramedic.
Gooden was barred from possessing firearms after a 2007 felony assault conviction. After finishing probation, the charge was lowered to a misdemeanor but the judge specified he still could not possess guns.
In 2020, Gooden appealed to have his gun rights restored and included character references from three friends -- including his girlfriend and mother of two of his kids -- who sources tell KARE 11 news was the one who called 911 early Sunday morning to report child abuse.
In her letter, she wrote, "Family is everything to him and that's why these rights are so meaningful to him."
The judge denied the appeal.
Gooden's ex-girlfriend and mother of three of his children Noemi Torres says she had no idea Gooden had those weapons.
Court documents say Gooden was trying to force Torres to pay him more child support for their three kids -- despite the fact he made well over $100,000 per year as an auto painter.
In a hearing Tuesday, the judge dismissed the case because of Gooden's death, giving Torres full custody.
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