Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena issued the following statement regarding the use of deadly force by Burnsville Police Officers when responding to a domestic incident on Feb. 18, 2024:
“Almost five months ago, Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Burnsville Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth were murdered when responding to a domestic situation in Burnsville. All three men embodied the spirit of a public servant as they selflessly acted to protect seven children from the hands of Shannon Gooden.
During this incident, three officers from the Burnsville Police Department discharged their firearms. Because this constitutes the use of deadly force under Minn. Stat. §609.066, an investigation into the facts and circumstances of their use of force was required.
The independent Use-of-Force Investigations Unit of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) — the lead investigative agency — recently submitted its investigation to my office for a determination whether the officers were legally justified in discharging their respective firearms.
After my review of the investigation, there is absolutely no doubt the officers were justified in using deadly force to protect themselves, other officers and first responders, and members of the public from death or great bodily harm."
Use-of-force_Dakota County Attorney's Office Determination