Two police officers and a paramedic were shot to death while responding to a domestic violence incident Sunday morning in Burnsville, Minnesota. According to Gov. Tim Walz, police and first responders were on the scene after “a call of a family in danger.”
A third officer was reported injured in the Minneapolis suburb.
Dispatch for Dakota County, which is approximately 15 miles south of the city, said that officers responded to an “incident with weapons.”
Local affiliate WCCO-TV reported that neighbor Jason Skog said he heard “what sounded like a firecracker or a flash-bang” around 5 a.m. That was followed by gunfire.
It was shortly after that police asked area residents to shelter in place.
The outlet noted that the neighborhood was filled with fire trucks, police, ambulance and SWAT vehicles. It reported that one of the SWAT vehicles had several bullet holes in its windshield.
Minn_Aleppo_Lis, my home town, was once a safe city with low crime. It has now joined the ranks of Memphis, Oakland, Detroit and Baltimore. This is what happens with city leaders celebrate and memorialize punks (GF) and demonize law enforcement officers. https://t.co/zgm6TmCqio
— Peter Brandt (@PeterLBrandt) February 18, 2024
City officials issued a press statement briefly describing the tragedy. “After arriving, the situation escalated into gunfire with responders.” It said the victims “were killed by the gunman during the response.”
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association told reporters that negotiations were conducted with the suspect for four hours. It was then that the SWAT team entered the residence.
There were seven children present, and authorities said they were permitted to leave unharmed. Specifics of the death of the suspect were not readily made available.
The police officers who were killed were identified as Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge.
Both were 27.
Firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, was also killed in the tragic incident. Sgt. Adam Medlicott is the third police officer injured in the hail of bullets. City officials said he is being treated at a local hospital for what are described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Gov. Walz (D) expressed gratitude for the responders. “We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our police officers and first responders make every day. My heart is with their families today and the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville.”
