State Investigators Confirm Details of Deadly Burnsville Shooting, Uncover Body Camera and Squad Footage

Burnsville, Minnesota – State investigators released new details from the deadly Burnsville shooting, confirming the existence of body camera and squad footage. The shooter, identified as Shannon Gooden, opened fire on officers inside his home “without warning,” unleashing more than 100 rifle rounds early Sunday, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

On the day of the incident, police responded to a home on the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue in Burnsville just before 2 a.m. for a report of a sexual assault. When they arrived, they engaged with Gooden, who refused to leave the home but claimed to be unarmed and having children inside.

The officers negotiated with Gooden for about 3 1/2 hours to get him to surrender peacefully, but he opened fire on the officers inside the home just before 5:30 a.m. Officers Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand, and Adam Medlicott were shot inside the home, with Medlicott and Officer Daniel Wical returning fire and striking Gooden in the leg.

The shooting continued, with Gooden firing shots at officers and first responders from his home. The standoff ended when Gooden fatally shot himself in the head inside his bedroom, as confirmed by authorities using a drone. Gooden had fired more than 100 rifle rounds at law enforcement and first responders during the incident, investigators said.

As a result of the shooting, Elmstrand, Ruge, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth were pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center, while Medlicott was treated and released from the hospital to recover at home on Monday.

The Burnsville Police Department has requested the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to lead the investigation, including the 911 call, the incident itself, and the officers’ use of force. The bureau will present its findings to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office for review.

A joint, public memorial service has been scheduled for Elmstrand, Ruge, and Finseth, to be held at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. Additional service details will be available early next week, according to Burnsville city officials.