A man from Burnsville, Minnesota, is accused of scamming thousands of dollar from more than a dozen Twin Cities residents who sought his tree care services.
The 44-year-old man was charged in Dakota County earlier this week with two counts of felony theft by swindle in connection to 13 reported cases between Aug. 1, 2024, and Nov. 1 of this year.
According to the criminal complaint, the Burnsville Police Department started investigating the defendant in August “for tree care services that were only partially or never completed.”
Five of the 13 victims reside in Burnsville, while the other eight live in Apple Valley, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Prior Lake and Savage. The total amount he’s accused of stealing is more than $17,000.
Court documents show patterns of the defendant’s alleged misconduct include making excuses for why the work was never completed, refusal to issue full or partial refunds and subsequently blocking customers’ phone numbers.
Friends and family of two construction workers are grieving after two different construction sites in the Twin Cities saw fatalities within 48 hours.
The first happened on Wednesday on Interstate 35W in Burnsville. The other was on Thursday off Highway 610 in Maple Grove.
“It’s been extremely difficult and tough for all workers in Minnesota,” said Joel Smith, the president of the union representing nearly 14,000 construction and general laborers across the area. “The families of the members, Pierre and Adam, that died tragically … we’re thinking of them, supporting them, consulting them.”
Mack’s father, Bernara Harris, spoke to WCCO on Thursday.
“That smile was incredible, bro. I’m talking like … he could light a room. He smiled, and man, it’s over. It’s just over,” said Harris.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry said the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating both incidents.
“Minnesota OSHA Compliance will inspect the work area for safety or health hazards, interview the employer and other employees, and review any required training procedures and training records,” the state agency said in a written statement.
Smith says that, in our region, many construction workers are fitting a year’s worth of hours in a 7- or 8-month period, adding to the pressure of an already hectic surrounding.
“We’ve got people going past you, at inches, at 50 to 70 miles an hour. So these are very dangerous jobs to begin with,” said Smith.
He added that, by putting your foot on the brake, “You’re impacting people’s lives that are no different than anybody else. Take your time, obey the speed limits and the distance and be aware.”
The union is working to provide mental health resources to those who witnessed the deaths.
In response to the tragedies, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is asking all staff to observe a “safety stand down” at work on Monday.
Frankie McLister, originally from Middletown, Maryland, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
A judge sentenced a Twin Cities woman to nearly four years in prison for illegally buying weapons for the father of her children, who went on to use them in the killing of three first responders in Burnsville last year.
Ashley Dyrdahl, 35, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office last November with 11 felonies, including five counts each of straw purchasing and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. She was sentenced on Wednesday to 45 months in prison followed by two years of probation.
After pleading not guilty, Dyrdahl changed her plea during a hearing in January, accepting a plea deal that dropped all but two charges.
As part of her plea deal, Dyrdahl will be included in a public service announcement about straw purchasing.
Dyrdahl bought five firearms, including two AR-15-style assault rifles, for her on-again, off-again boyfriend Shannon Gooden between September 2023 and January 2024, according to court records.
Gooden was barred from owning weapons due to a 2008 assault conviction in Dakota County. Court records show Dyrdahl also wrote a letter in 2020 in support of Gooden’s failed attempt to restore his gun rights.
On Feb. 18, 2024, police were called to Gooden’s Burnsville residence on a report of a sexual assault, leading to an hourslong standoff where he fired more than 100 rounds at first responders — killing Burnsville police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand, and firefighter paramedic Adam Finseth. Sgt. Adam Medlicott was injured but survived.
Gooden then fatally shot himself in front of two of his children, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Months before thrill-seeking snowboarders and skiers take to Burnsville, Minnesota’s Buck Hill, the site played host to a grueling challenge for a good cause.
Teams of veterans and first responders took part in a 12-hour run Saturday, featuring a one-mile loop of the property, complete with a 200-foot incline. It’s not just a workout however — it’s a chance to address mental health for vets and first responders.
“We have a need out there,” said Julie Pagano, co-founder of Heroes on the Hill. “What we wanted to do was give back.”
Pagano says the event, now in its second year, donates proceeds to groups working to address mental health issues specific to the men and women who serve. Pagano says that often, financial constraints can be a reason people don’t seek help.
Rosemount Fire was one of the local first response agencies taking part on Saturday.
“There’s still people that are holding on, that might be kind of scared to say, hey, I’m struggling with something,” said firefighter Josh Kuhn. “For most of us too, it’s not something you can go home and talk to your family about.”
Kuhn says the event, which pairs runners in a “buddy system”, can be just as therapeutic, serving as a space where responders and vets can connect.
“If you need support, you can walk by someone, there’s people giving high fives, it’s awesome hearing everyone come together,” he said.
Federal prosecutors are seeking a 41-month sentence for the woman who pleaded guilty to illegally buying weapons for her children’s father, who then used them in the killing of three Burnsville, Minnesota, first responders in 2024, according to court records filed Wednesday.
Ashley Dyrdahl pleaded guilty in January to two counts of straw purchasing in the fatal shooting of Burnsville police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand, and firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth. According to the plea agreement, four other counts of straw purchasing and five counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm were dropped.
Court records said Dyrdahl bought five firearms, including two AR-15-style assault rifles, for her on-again, off-again boyfriend Shannon Gooden between September 2023 and January 2024.
U.S. Attorney’s Office
On Feb. 18, 2024, police were called to Gooden’s residence on a report of a sexual assault, which led to an hourslong standoff where he fired over 100 rounds at first responders.
Ruge, Elmstrand and Finseth were fatally wounded in the shooting. Sgt. Adam Medlicott was injured but survived.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Gooden then fatally shot himself in front of his two children.
Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and paramedic Adam Finseth. (left to right)
City of Burnsville
Dyrdahl initially pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges in November 2024. She’s scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10.
“The sentence in this case must serve as a deterrent against the escalating armament of prohibited violent convicted felons,” U.S. attorneys said in the court document filed Wednesday.
Note: The above video first aired on Jan. 14, 2025.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sunday marked a solemn day at the state capitol as firefighters and their families spent the afternoon commemorating those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Adam Finseth was among those honored Sunday. The Burnsville firefighter and paramedic was killed in the line of duty back in February, alongside police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand.
Finseth, along with the four other firefighters honored; Arthur Clark Sr., Lloyd Conley Sr., Kayla Giefer and Thomas McDonough Jr.; now have their names etched into Minnesota’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the state capitol.
One by one, the names of the more than 240 Minnesota firefighters who died in the line of duty were read aloud from the honor roll that dates back to 1881.
“We must take up the cause to never take for granted the sacrifice that is born by families and loved ones,” said Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Adam Finseth
Finseth family
For family, Sunday’s ceremony remembering Finseth helps sooth the pain of loss, at least temporarily.
“After these moments is when it gets really hard again,” said Finseth’s brother-in-law, Austin Smith.
Family is still coming to grips with the loss of the man who wanted nothing more than to be a Burnsville firefighter.
“We’re having to let go of the future that I thought I would have with my brother. Thinking about his children is a daily concern,” said Amber Smith, Finseth’s sister.
Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann said Fineseth will be remembered both for his positivity and energy.
“It’s a lot. It’s never easy to lose somebody that’s such a great team member, brought so much to the team,” said Jungmann.
Finseth’s legacy will now be a permanent fixture, among hundreds of others who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
“Adam can always be a hero and someone we can look up to he set the example for all of us,” said Jungmann.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — First responders in the south metro blocked off a city park Friday night due to an “active public safety situation.”
The Burnsville Police Department is asking the public to avoid the Red Oak Park area until further notice. The park is located just west of Highway 77.
WCCO
Police did not provide many details but said around 9:45 p.m. that first responders were on the scene.
This is a developing story. Check back with WCCO for more details later.
There are reminders everywhere at Burnsville police headquarters; in hallways and offices; and even the garage.
At Fire Station 1, there is a lone picture of Finseth on the Memorial Wall. He’s the first and only city firefighter ever killed on the job.
“Grief doesn’t end, certainly not quickly,” said Burnsville Police Deputy Chief Matt Smith. “People are still grieving, and so we’re still taking care of each other and making sure everyone is OK.”
Smith says the best way he and his colleagues honor the fallen is getting to work, and they’re doing that thanks to big assists from the department’s growing list of mental health resources. That includes a counselor’s number written boldly in the briefing room, the ability to work out during a shift, and Doc the wellness dog.
“It’s hard to walk into a room with Doc and not see smiles on everybody’s faces,” Smith said. “Doc just brings the stress levels down.”
Paul Elmstrand, Adam Finseth and Matthew Ruge
WCCO
Smith said the discussion of mental health has been normalized in the department, which he says means the world to him.
“If you aren’t open and honest with people, they’ll get upset and say, ‘No, I really want you to talk to me and tell me what’s going on,’” he said.
As these first responders balance how to help themselves and the community, Police Chief Tanya Schwartz and Fire Chief BJ Jungmann are figuring out how to respond to new challenges and threats.
“The questions in my mind aren’t like about the tactics. They’re not about is there something anyone did wrong, because I think our guys did everything right. They did everything they possibly could to save everybody there that they could,” Schwartz said.
“The question becomes what’s the right level of protection for everything we do?” Jungmann said.
For police, that could mean more armored vehicles and installing bulletproof door panels on squad cars. Fire crews already carry some ballistic vests and helmets, but they could start to wear them more often.
Both chiefs agree joint operations and joint training will be the norm.
“There’s a lot they can teach us from a personal safety and a de-escalation standpoint that we don’t get that training through paramedic school or through fire school,” Jungmann said.
“I mean it’s really just a give and take of that, and we’re learning, and I think what we’ve learned even more so than what was before is that we’re just all trying to do the same job, right? It’s to take care of the community. At the end of the day, like we have to work together to do that,” Schwartz said.
“As horrific as Feb. 18 is, I think that unison is pretty clear that we’re all in this together,” Jungmann said.
Both departments plan to honor the men by placing their names on memorials in the Washington D.C. area next year.
Jonah Kaplan is WCCO and CBS News Minnesota’s investigative reporter and has built a strong reputation for his balanced and in-depth coverage of high-impact issues including the economy, immigration, education, public safety, and the military, among others.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol says it’s investigating a hit-and-run crash early Wednesday morning in Burnsville that seriously injured a 24-year-old man.
It happened at about 2:30 a.m. near Highway 13 and Washburn Avenue.
The state patrol says the victim, a Shakopee resident, is expected to survive. It’s not clear if he was on foot when he was struck or inside a vehicle.
No arrests have been made, and the state patrol says it’s still working to identify the vehicle that fled the scene.
Stephen Swanson is a web producer at CBS Minnesota. A 21-year station veteran, Stephen was a floor director for a decade before moving to the newsroom, where he focuses on general assignment reporting.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Emily Kratz, 45, is a premier ultra-endurance athlete who’s dedicated her latest race to helping military families.
Kratz just finished the Cocodona 250 in Phoenix. It’s a 250-mile run, which is a marathon nine times over and then some, in the span of five days.
“We basically ran from Phoenix to Flagstaff,” Kratz said. “The first day was the hardest. That had a lot of climbing, very exposed, out in Phoenix, it was hot. You really had to control your effort because you have like literally four days left.”
While Kratz is a seasoned endurance athlete — earlier this year she finished the Arrowhead 150 race across northern Minnesota — the Cocodona was the longest she’s run in one go. And with a peak of 40,000 feet, it’s also the highest.
“I think for me, it’s just testing my limits. Really just seeing what I’m capable of, and really challenging myself,” she said.
A challenge she accepted with a calling – she ran the race in conjunction with the SEAL Family Foundation. The organization helps support Navy SEALS and their families during deployment, a mission Kratz is passionate about.
“While our men are out there protecting us, we’ll helping protect and take care of their families so they can focus on that,” she said.
Emily Kratz
WCCO
Fittingly enough, as Kratz put one foot in front of the other, active Navy SEALS — and even the mother of a Navy SEAL — supported her during the race, keeping her pace and company.
“It was great to just talk with them about like what goes through their minds during Hell Week and kind of the adventures, per se, that they go on, which have a lot higher stakes than what I’m doing,” Kratz said. “And just the sacrifices that they make every day, which kind of made this a lot more meaningful for me as well.”
The trails didn’t come without trials, but Kratz still finished the Cocodona 250 in just under 92 hours and on less than 90 minutes of sleep.
“There’s times where your body’s not going to want to move and you’re super sore and you don’t think you can, but it’s just less thinking, more doing, and you just start,” Kratz said.
Kratz said lack of sleep even causes hallucinations at times.
“You just focus on the next aid station or you focus on the next mile,” she said. “Eventually all that stuff adds up.”
In total, Kratz has raised more than $33,000 for the Seal Family Foundation, but there’s still time to donate. Kratz has a personal goal of $50,000.
Kratz is already planning her next ultramarathon. She’ll head to run a 200-mile trek in Italy this fall.
Beret Leone is a native Minnesotan who joined the WCCO team as a reporter in September 2022 – and she’s thrilled be back home in the Twin Cities! Beret grew up in Chaska and graduated from Bethel University.
Coworkers of the three first responders spoke at the memorial, recounting memories of their fallen friends.
Officer Pete Mueller, who began his career at the Burnsville Police Department alongside Matthew Ruge, described their early days at the department together. They started in 2020, during a pandemic and unrest, and worked the same shift.
“His sense of humor and unwavering desire to make a difference immediately earned my respect,” Mueller said.
Ruge had a lot of nicknames —”Roguie” and “the Book,” among others — because of his tendency to go rogue and self-assign calls outside of his area, yet stick to procedure. He wanted to respond to difficult calls, Mueller recalled, including the one on Feb. 18.
“He was extraordinarily heroic that morning,” Mueller said. Ruge negotiated for several hours and bought his fellow officers time to manage the situation. Mueller noted how Ruge worked to bring his partner Paul Elmstrand to safety, even though he had been shot himself.
“At the same time, it is also true that Ruge left us with remarkable gifts. For example, I noticed I’m saying ‘I love you’ a lot more this past week and a half. And I’m hearing ‘I love you’ a lot too,” he said.
WCCO
Deputy Chief Matt Smith with the Burnsville Police Department spoke next, recounting Elmstrand’s sense of humor and love for his family.
“He had a laugh that was infectious,” Smith said, joking that Elmstrand sometimes liked to laugh at his own jokes. He was an avid watcher and re-watcher of The Office, and had memorabilia from the television show strewn across his desk at work.
Elmstrand was also dedicated to honoring other fallen first responders, he said. He had recently been selected to be a member of the Law Enforcement Memorial Association’s honor guard, and he liked to practice formations in his living room.
WCCO
Burnsville Fire Captain Brandon Johannsen then described firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth’s quiet courage, genuine concern for the wellbeing of others, and boundless compassion.
“He possessed an innate ability to put others’ well-being above his own, always ensuring that everyone around him felt seen, heard, and cared for,” Johannsen said.
At the same time, Finseth was a jokester, who helped lighten the mood at work with his witty remarks, Johannsen added. And while he was committed to his work, he was most of all, committed to his wife and two children.
“He talked about you every day at work, when he was not with you,” Johannsen said to Finseth’s children. “We can talk about him and remember the good times whenever you want.”
The eulogies concluded with speeches from Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz and Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann.
“To our fallen heroes. Thank you. We miss you,” Schwartz said.
“It feels cruel. There are no words to provide sufficient comfort. All we can do is promise you our support. And we assure you that we will forever be by your side,” she said to the families of Ruge and Elmstrand.
Jungmann highlighted Finseth’s dedication, honor and integrity.
“Adam was always working to improve himself. Being a firefighter-paramedic was not enough for him,” he said. Finseth always wanted to serve others, and he did so honorably, he said.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Burnsville police officers and first responder killed in a shooting earlier this month will be memorialized with a public service Wednesday morning.
Shannon Gooden fatally shot police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, as well as paramedic and firefighter Adam Finseth, Feb. 18, according to authorities. Gooden then died by suicide.
The funeral will take place at Grace Church in Eden Prairie at 11 a.m. Anyone not in attendance can watch the service live on WCCO-TV or CBS News Minnesota.
How to watch the memorial service for Burnsville first responders
Where: Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie When: Feb. 28, 11 a.m. Watch: On WCCO-TV, CBS News Minnesota on Pluto TV or on the CBS News app on your phone or connected TV.
The fallen first responders and their families have received an outpouring of support from the community since the fatal standoff. A memorial outside the Burnsville Police Department is adorned with flowers and messages, Twin Cities businesses have stepped up to raise money and multiple processions and vigils have honored Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth. Their families have thanked the community for its help and spoken about the kind of men they were.
The BCA is investigating the confrontation between Gooden and authorities.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — A driver fatally struck a pedestrian in Burnsville Saturday night, authorities said.
It happened around 8:45 p.m. in the eastbound lane of County Road 42 near 145th Street, according to the West St. Paul Police Department.
WCCO
Police say the driver who hit the man is cooperating with them and was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
West St. Paul police, Hastings police and the Minnesota State Patrol are all helping out in the investigation since Burnsville police are still investigating last weekend’s tragedy.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — A procession for fallen Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge is expected Tuesday afternoon.
The procession will begin at 2 p.m. at the medical examiner’s office in Minnetonka and will travel to the funeral home in Jordan. CBS News Minnesota will be streaming the procession live.
From the medical examiner’s office, the route will head eastbound on Highway 62 and then southbound on Highway 169 to Jordan.
The public is encouraged to show support throughout the route, but is advised to use caution when finding a place along the route since traffic will not be controlled.
Cole Premo is a web producer at WCCO.com. For more than a decade, he’s been covering breaking news and weather, daily topics, stories from the Native community and more in Minnesota.
Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.
Create your free account or log in for more features.
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’s leading the investigation. BCA Superintendent Drew Evans says Burnsville police officers were called to a home at about 1:50 a.m. on 33rd Avenue South and East 126th Street, just west of the Interstate 35E-Highway 77 interchange.
A suspect inside was reported to be armed, and several people were barricaded inside, including seven young children ranging in age from 2 to 15.
Evans said law enforcement “spent quite a bit of time negotiating with this individual,” before the suspect is said to have opened fire on officers.
Burnsville city officials identified the victims as officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth. Sgt. Adam Medlicott with BPD was also shot but is expected to survive.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was reported dead at about 8 a.m., and the family members in the home made it out safely a short time later.
Evans said the exact exchange of gunfire and the timing is not clear at this point in the investigation.
“A terrible day for the city of Burnsville, all of the residents,” Evans said.
Residents are being asked to stay away from the area during the investigation.
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 SWAT paramedic in the city since 2019. Fire Chief B.J. Jungmann says Finseth previously worked with the fire departments in Savage and Hastings.
Medlicott has been with BPD for nine years and five months.
Police Chief Tanya Schwartz says her department is “hurting.”
“Today, three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes,” Schwartz said. “Every day we pray that they go home to their families. And today that’s not happening. We’re heartbroken. We are gonna need time to be together. Our families need time to grieve.”
Jungmann says Sunday was the toughest day the city has ever experienced.
“It’s a tragic day, we’re all grieving, and we’re all trying to understand what happened and why,” Jungmann said.
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.
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.
Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and Adam Finseth
City of Burnsville
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.
WCCO
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.
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.
