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A man previously accused of assault and domestic violence opened fire on first responders in Burnsville, Minn., on Monday, killing two police officers and a firefighter before his body was found. was identified as.
The shooting, which occurred early Sunday after hours of negotiations, shocked residents of the suburban outpost 15 miles from downtown Minneapolis and baffled law enforcement.
The Hennepin County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the suspect as Shannon Cortez Gooden, 38, of Burnsville.
Gooden has a conviction for assault, and several women have accused him of domestic violence, according to court records. There is no information available at this time regarding a possible motive or how the suspect died.
Here’s what we know so far:
What happened in Burnsville?
Officers were called to a suburban residence around 1:50 a.m. Sunday in response to a domestic dispute in which Gooden was armed and barricaded himself with his family, including seven children between the ages of 2 and 15.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Enforcement Superintendent Drew Evans said in a news conference that after police arrived, they spent hours negotiating with the suspect before he began firing shots from various parts of the home. The police fired back.
The city said in a statement that police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Rouge and firefighter Adam Finseth, who also worked as a paramedic, were killed. Another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott was injured and taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities said Finseth, a member of a SWAT team called to the scene, was shot while assisting a wounded police officer.
The coroner’s office said Monday that the three victims died from gunshot wounds in the emergency room of Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Medlicott was discharged from the hospital Monday afternoon.
Suspect charged with domestic violence
Several women have accused Gooden of domestic violence, and in 2008 he was convicted of assault after allegedly pulling a 7-inch knife during a fight, according to court records. As a result of his conviction, he was permanently prohibited from possessing firearms, and in August 2020 he applied to the court to have his firearm ownership rights reinstated. The Dakota County District Attorney’s Office, citing his conviction and multiple domestic violence allegations against Gooden, urged the court to deny his claim, which was dismissed two months later. Gooden, who had five children at the time, was seeking firearm rights, according to court records. “Protect not only himself but his family.” His petition states that he is dedicated to his family and career and “to prove his worth as a productive and law-abiding citizen.” “Important steps have been taken.” He said he took anger management classes, completed a parenting course and graduated with honors from Dakota Tech in 2013. His petition says he earned an associate’s degree and began working at an auto body repair shop. Mr. Gooden is deeply remorseful and he has learned from his past poor decisions,” his petition states. “He wants his second chance to prove he is a productive member of society.”
Gooden’s confrontation with police on Sunday came about two days before a scheduled District Court hearing in an ongoing legal dispute between Gooden and the mother of his three older children. Court records show he had been involved in a years-long dispute over custody and financial support for his children.
According to court records, Gooden accused the children’s mother of neglect, and she called him “controlling” and accused him of abusing her and the children.
The suspect was found dead.the children were unharmed
Police found Gooden dead inside the home around 8 a.m., Evans said. The children were unharmed.
Evans called it a “terrible day” and said authorities were still investigating what happened. Authorities plan to review the officer’s body camera footage and conduct interviews as part of the investigation.
The suspect was heavily armed
Evans said the suspect was in possession of several guns and a large amount of ammunition. He did not say what kind of firearms Gooden owned or whether they were legally purchased.
Evans said at least one of the slain officers was shot inside his home, and investigators are “still determining” where the other two victims were shot.
The gunshots “were like fireworks”
Neighbors said they were woken up by a loud popping sound just before sunrise.
Alicia McCallum, who lives two houses away from the scene of the shooting, said: “At first I didn’t think it was a gunshot, but when I opened my window, there were police everywhere, hiding in my neighbor’s yard.” I could see it,” he said.
“Then there were three more gunshots,” she said. “It was like fireworks going off.” She, her husband and their two children then sought safety in the bathroom, fell to the floor and prayed.
Ms McCallum said she was relieved to see the woman and children escorted from the home. “I’m so grateful to the police officer who risked his life to save these children,” McCollum said. “And my heart goes out to her mother.”
Candlelight vigil for fallen first responders
Hundreds of people, including law enforcement and first responders from nearby communities, gathered outside Burnsville City Hall Sunday night to remember Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth.
Congresswoman Angie Craig spoke to grieving families and the audience at a candlelight vigil, which drew applause. We would like to thank all the police, paramedics and firefighters at the scene for their efforts. ”
Gov. Tim Walz ordered flags to be lowered starting at sunrise Monday in memory of the slain police officer.
Contribution: Associated Press; John Bacon, Thao Nguyen, america today
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