[3][4] Federal authorities alleged that the weapons Gooden used were obtained illegally via straw purchase and filed criminal charges against his girlfriend.
[8] Gooden had previously been accused of intimate partner violence multiple times in court, and at least three women sought orders of protection from him.
[11] The first responders killed in the shooting were Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, along with firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40.
[13] In Burnsville, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, a woman called 911 at 1:50 a.m. local time on Sunday, February 18, 2024, to report an alleged sexual assault by her husband and to request a police presence at her house.
Gooden continued firing from inside the house at police, including shooting through a window,[15][16] until the standoff ended with him killing himself with a single gunshot to the head.
Angie Craig, whose United States House of Representative district includes Burnsville, said, "Today serves as another solemn reminder that those who protect our communities do so at great personal risk.
"[17] Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and United States Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
[19] Following the shooting, members of the Minnesota Legislature discussed implementing stricter gun storage, safety, and reporting requirements, as well as providing additional services for victims of domestic violence.
[21] On February 24, a convoy of several hundred cars, fire engines, tow trucks and semitrucks traveled across Burnsville to commemorate the deceased first responders and to raise donations for their families.