A harrowing ordeal unfolded in Burnsville as two police officers and a firefighter perished during an early morning domestic disturbance turned deadly, as the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) detailed the tragic events of February 18. Officers Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by Shannon Gooden, 38, who later ended his own life, analysis of the encounter by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed.
The preliminary investigation unveiled by the BCA highlighted an extended negotiation stretched over three hours with Gooden, who had initially claimed he was unarmed and had children present inside his Burnsville home, responded to by officers at nearly 2 a.m. However, the situation dramatically shifted when Gooden abruptly began shooting at about 5:26 a.m., striking Ruge, Elmstrand, and Medlicott inside the residence, it also emerged that during the frantic escape to an armored vehicle positioned in the driveway Ruge and Medlicott were hit for a second time and that's when Finseth was tragically caught in the line of fire while attempting to provide assistance.
Identified by the BCA were three police officers, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, Officer Javier Jimenez, and Officer Daniel Wical discharged their weapons in response to Gooden's attack, as reported by the BCA. Medlicott, with 14 years on the force, fired his handgun, while both Jimenez and Wical, each with eight years of experience, used their department rifles in the deadly exchange.
The stand-off reached its conclusion when responding SWAT found Gooden's body after a siege that lasted until about 10:15 a.m., the BCA noted evidence included an arsenal consisting of several firearms, ample ammunition, and over 100 rifle rounds discharged at law enforcement and first responders, Gooden also had fired upon officers and an armored vehicle which had personnel inside, Jimenez targeted Gooden with sniper fire after being pinned down from an upstairs window. The grim outcome of this incident has resulted in a massive investigation with the BCA combing through body camera and squad car footage to ascertain the full scope of the confrontation.
The Burnsville Police Department has entrusted the BCA with the full investigation into the catalyst for the 911 call, the nature of the incident, and the subsequent use of force by officers. The BCA's findings, once their diligent review concludes, will be forwarded to the Dakota County Attorney's Office excluding any recommendations regarding charging, according to official statements from the bureau.
