Minnesota community mourns 2 officers, 1 firefighter killed at the scene of a domestic call

BURNSVILLE, Minn. — A suburban Minneapolis community was in mourning Monday after authorities said two police officers and a firefighter were killed by a heavily armed man who shot at them from a house full of children.

A third officer was injured in Sunday’s shooting in a tree-lined neighborhood of Burnsville, Minnesota. The suspect, who officials said had multiple guns and large amounts of ammunition, also died.

Chief Inspector Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said there was gunfire, and authorities were still gathering details of what he described as a “terrible day.”

The firefighter, who also works as a paramedic, was shot while rendering aid to an injured officer, Evans said. He told reporters that the paramedic was part of a SWAT team called to a domestic situation at the home.

Inside, an armed man had barricaded himself with his family, including seven children ranging in age from 2 to 15, Evans said.

He said negotiations lasted for hours before the suspect opened fire. He wasn’t specific about the exact amount of time, but the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said the standoff lasted four hours before a SWAT team entered the home.

Evans said the suspect had multiple guns and large amounts of ammunition and shot at the police officers from multiple positions in the home, including the upper and lower floors. Evans said at least one officer inside the home was shot.

“We still don’t know what exact gunfire occurred,” Evans said. “Certainly, several officers returned fire.”

He said the suspect was found dead around 8 a.m. and the family and children were released from the home. None of them were injured.

City officials identified the slain officers as Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27. Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic for the city since 2019, was also killed.

Elmstrand, a member of the department’s mobile command staff, joined the department in 2017. Ruge was hired in 2020 and served on the department’s crisis negotiation team and was a physical evidence officer.

Another police officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott was injured and treated at a hospital for suspected non-life-threatening injuries, the city said.

As the bodies of the dead left a hospital, officers saluted before being taken in a convoy to the medical examiner’s office. Medical staff looked on in scrubs.

“We are hurting,” said Police Chief Tanya Schwartz. “Today, three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes.”

Neighbors were woken up by loud bangs about an hour before dawn.

Alicia McCullum said she and her family fell to the ground, unsure if the sound was gunshots. She and her husband peered out of their sunroom and saw police cars and a phalanx of police officers.

“I didn’t think it was a gunshot at first, but when we opened the windows we saw police everywhere and police hiding in our neighbor’s yard,” said McCullum, who lives two houses down from the source of the commotion.

“Then there were three more gunshots,” she said. “It looked like a firework.” At that point, she, her husband and two children sought safety in a bathroom and fell to the ground. They prayed.

McCullum said she was relieved to see a woman and children being escorted from their home. “We are so grateful for those police officers who risked their lives to save those children,” McCullum said. “And my heart goes out to that mother.”

Fire Chief BJ Jungmann said the community was grieving and asked for privacy for the families. None of the family members of the officers or the firefighter immediately returned phone messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Evans said the medical examiner would identify the suspect and said autopsies were scheduled for Monday. There are no indications that the house has caused problems in the past.

“There haven’t been many calls for service at all,” Evans said.

As the investigation continued, the neighborhood was surrounded by police cars to keep reporters and the public at bay. A police armored vehicle had bullet damage to its windshield and Evans confirmed it sustained the damage during the gunfight.

Police scanner footage on Broadcastify.com shows a fidgety man saying, “I need an ambulance,” as he struggles to catch his breath. Someone was later heard talking about three being loaded into ambulances, saying the word “critical.”

As the news spread, other law enforcement agencies immediately began posting messages of condolence on social media, including images of badges with blue bars through them. It is a sign of solidarity in mourning.

“In times like these, it is essential to come together as a community and support each other through the uncertainty and grief,” said Marty Kelly, the sheriff in neighboring Goodhue County.

The flags were also lowered to half-staff, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz urging those walking past them to take a moment to reflect on the first responders who died.

“Minnesota mourns with you,” he said. “The state stands ready to assist in any way we can.”

Hundreds of people gathered in front of Burnsville City Hall on Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims. Several uniformed officers from other departments were also present.

A fire truck and a police car were parked in front of the building. The police vehicle had bouquets of flowers on the hood and handwritten signs under the windshield wipers, one of which read: “We are praying for you.” Attendees joined in prayer and sang “Amazing Grace.”

“Right now is the time to mourn, to come together to mourn the loss of our community, and to stand with the families,” said U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.

“I can’t imagine the pain you’re all going through,” Craig continued, “but what I can say is that to all of our officers, the paramedics and our firefighters, thank you for what you do.” The crowd applauded.

“It’s an important community,” said area resident Kris Martin, “and we are very saddened by what happened.”

Burnsville, a city of about 64,000 residents, is located about 15 miles south of downtown Minneapolis.

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Associated Press writers Rob Jagodzinski and Bobby Caina Calvan in New York City, Maysoon Khan in Albany, New York and Jesse Bedayn in Denver contributed to this report.