Police were called to the home by someone inside just before 2:00 a.m. The suspect reportedly was wanted on a warrant for second degree criminal sexual conduct and barricaded himself inside along with seven children ages two through 15 and refused to let them out. Negotiators were brought in, but around 5:30 a.m., they entered the home and encountered the suspect, who opened fire, shooting at least three cops and one paramedic.
The three who died were identified as 27-year-old Paul Elmstrand, who had been with the force since 2017. He served as part of the department’s mobile command staff. Officer Matthew Ruge was also 27. He joined in 2020 and was a crisis negotiator and physical evidence officer. The paramedic and firefighter killed was identified as 40-year-old Adam Finseth who had been who had been with the department since 2019. Finseth was shot while providing first aid to another injured officer. Finseth serves as part of the SWAT team that had been brought in to help with the situation. Sgt. Adam Medlicott was also shot and rushed to the hospital for treatment. Those injuries are considered non-life-threatening, and he is expected to recover.
The suspect, who officials said was heavily armed, was found dead inside the home, but officials haven’t given a cause or manner of death. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans told reporters Sunday afternoon the suspect fired at officers from different positions within the house, and that includes upper and lower floors. “Certainly, several officers did return fire.” An armored SWAT vehicle was towed from the scene. It had been hit with gunfire several times. Investigators are still piecing together what happened and called it a “terrible day.”
A convoy of first responder vehicles was seen escorting the bodies of the three men to the hospital and again to the medical examiner’s office. Firetrucks and civilians waved flags from overpasses and saluted as they passed.
The Medical Examiner will formally identify the suspect.
Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said officers “go to work every day knowing that it’s a possibility we’ll lose our life to protect yours. And we still show up. It’s something you won’t understand unless you do it.”
Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann issued a statement saying, “Our folks come to work every day and are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice of their life, but no one expects it to happen. It’s a tragic day. We are all grieving, and we are all trying to understand what happened and why.”
The Minnesota Peace and Police Officers Association also issued a statement saying they are “heartbroken” and “devastated,” calling the incident a “horrific loss.”
We are heartbroken. Our law enforcement community is heartbroken. We’re just devastated at the horrific loss. These heroes leave behind loved ones and a community who will forever remember their bravery and dedication to keeping Minnesotans safe.
— Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (@MNPoliceAssn) February 18, 2024
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