UPDATE: Authorities identify 2 Burnsville police officers and 1 EMS responder shot dead Sunday morning
(Credit: MGN)
(KSTP)- UPDATE: Burnsville officials have released the names of the two Burnsville police officers and one EMS responder shot dead Sunday morning.
Police were first called to an address in the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South for a report of a domestic abuse situation where an armed man was barricaded with family members around 1:50 a.m.
Authorities say the situation then “escalated into gunfire with responders.”
Officer Paul Elmstrand, Officer Matthew Ruge, and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth were all killed by the gunman.
Sergeant Adam Medlicott, was injured by gunfire and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Elmsted, 27, joined the Burnsville Police Department in August of 2017 as a community service officer before he was promoted to officer in July 2019.
Ruge, 27, joined the force in April 2020. He was part of the department’s crisis negotiations team and was a physical evidence officer.
Finseth, 40, became a Burnsville firefighter/paramedic in Feb. 2019.
More updates are expected to be shared at 4 p.m. Sunday.
A vigil honoring the fallen first responders is set to happen at 6:30 p.m. at Burnsville City Hall.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said the gunman was found dead at about 8 a.m.
Officials did not share details on how he died.
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(KSTP)- UPDATE: The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said the man who shot and killed two Burnsville police officers and a paramedic on Sunday morning is dead.
Officials did not share details on how he died.
A procession for the two police officers and one EMS responder shot and killed happened early Sunday afternoon.
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(KSTP) – A heavy law enforcement presence from multiple agencies is gathering in Burnsville in response to an incident that happened Sunday morning.
A source with direct knowledge confirmed to ABC 6 News parent station in the Twin Cities, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, that two Burnsville police officers and an EMS responder were shot and killed Sunday morning.
A witness in the neighborhood said a majority of officers started gathering near the intersection of 33rd Avenue and East Burnsville Parkway around 5:30 a.m.
That same witness said they heard shots fired and that a shelter-in-place order was sent to their devices.
Armored vehicles and SWAT units could also be seen in the area. Authorities say they cannot yet share any information on the incident.
Angie Craig, who represents Burnsville in the U.S. House of Representatives, provided the following statement on the shooting Sunday afternoon.
“My heart is broken for the brave officers and first responder lost in the line of duty, their families, the Burnsville Police Department and our entire community. For these public servants, this was just another day delivering on their oath to protect and serve – to keep Minnesotans safe. And now their families – and the city of Burnsville – will never be the same.
“I’ve been in close contact with Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, Police Chief Tanya Schwartz and state officials to offer any federal resources or support they need today and in the weeks and months ahead. I’ve also been in touch with the White House to marshal any additional federal resources that may be available.
“I’m horrified to see this kind of violence in our community. Today serves as another solemn reminder that those who protect our communities do so at great personal risk. We must do everything in our power to prevent tragedies like these before they happen and hold violent criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Both Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Lt. Governor Peggy Flannagan provided statements on the incident in Burnsville early this morning.
The statement from Walz reads as follows: “We received horrific news from Burnsville this morning. While responding to a call of a family in danger, two police officers and one firefighter lost their lives, and other officers were injured.”
“We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day. Today, the families of these public servants received the call they knew was possible but hoped would never come. My heart is with those grieving families – the State of Minnesota stands ready to support in any way we can. This is a tragic loss for our state.”
“Our Department of Public Safety is coordinating with local law enforcement to conduct an investigation.”
Flannagan’s statement reads, “There are no words to describe a loss of this magnitude to our Burnsville and first responder community,”
“The tragedies that unfolded this morning are every family’s worst nightmare, yet our first responders stay selflessly committed to keeping Minnesotans safe every day. I am immensely grateful for the sacrifices and service of our police officers, firefighters, and medics, and my heart is heavy with grief for the three heroes we lost today.”