City identifies 2 officers, 1 paramedic killed in Burnsville, Minnesota; suspect also dead

BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Two police officers and a paramedic were shot and killed in Burnsville Sunday morning, authorities said, and the man who shot them is also dead.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it is investigating. The BCA did not say how the shooter died.

Burnsville city officials identified the victims as officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth.

They were responding to a home on the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South, inside of which an armed man was reportedly barricaded with family members. 

When authorities arrived, “the situation escalated into gunfire,” the city said. The gunman killed Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth and injured another officer who is expected to survive.

The suspect, who has not been identified, was reported dead around 8 a.m., and the family members in the home made it out safely a short time later.

The city said 27-year-old Elmstrand joined the Burnsville Police Department in 2017 and was promoted in 2019. Ruge, also 27, joined the force in 2020. Finseth, 40, has been a firefighter and paramedic in the city since 2019.

Authorities plan to hold a press conference about the killings at 4 p.m. Sunday. WCCO will carry that on TV and stream it live on CBS News Minnesota.  

READ MORE: Five Minnesota policeman gunned down in line of duty since 2015

Jason Skog, who lives in the neighborhood, said around 5 a.m. he heard what sounded like a firecracker or a flash-bang, then gunfire. He said police asked residents to shelter in place.

At Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis, police and first responders from multiple cities were gathered to show support. Injured officers are often taken to Hennepin Healthcare due to its status as a level one trauma center. Around 12:45 p.m., a procession began to escort the decedents from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office.

Support and condolences from Minnesota state leaders and other law enforcement agencies are pouring in on social media.

“We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day,” Walz said in a statement. “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.”

Walz ordered flags be flown at half staff starting Monday at sunrise. A vigil for the victims is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Burnsville City Hall.

Burnsville is a southern suburb of Minneapolis.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCCO for more information.

WCCO Staff

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