ST PAUL, Minn. — The Burnsville shooter fired more than 100 rifle rounds at law enforcement, killing two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter/paramedic, according to officials.
On Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) released new details about Sunday's deadly shooting, including additional information about what led up to 38-year-old Shannon Gooden firing at law enforcement.
In a release, DPS says officers responded to a call at Gooden's home just before 2 a.m. and spoke with Gooden, who refused to leave the home but claimed he was unarmed and had children inside. The DPS said officers entered the home and attempted to negotiate with Gooden for about three-and-a-half hours before he opened fire on officers without warning. Officials say they believe Burnsville officers Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand and Adam Medlicott were all shot inside the home.
DPS said Officers Medlicott and Daniel Wical returned fire while inside the home, hitting Gooden in the leg. Gooden then shot Ruge and Medlicott a second time while the two officers were moving to an armored vehicle parked in the driveway. While attempting to render aid to the officers, Burnsville firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth was struck by gunfire. Finseth, Ruge and Elmstrand were all pronounced dead at HCMC. Medlicott was also transported to HCMC and released.
According to the DPS, Gooden continued firing at law enforcement from inside the home, at one point shooting from a window where Burnsville officer Javier Jimenez returned fire with a sniper rifle. The news release says the standoff ended when Gooden took his own life. Officials found his body and cleared the home at 10:15 a.m.
Several firearms were recovered, as well as a "large amount" of ammunition, investigators said. Body camera and squad car camera video are being reviewed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The BCA is also being asked to investigate what led to the initial 911 call, the deadly shooting, and the officers' use of force to determine if there are any charging recommendations for the Dakota County Attorney's Office to review.
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. The BCA is now investigating how Gooden was able to obtain the multiple firearms he used in the deadly shooting.