Maple Grove Police Chief on Burnsville Shootings: ‘The Community Is Hurting’

Maple Grove Police Chief Eric Werner is reflecting on the loss of two Burnsville police officers and a paramedic who were killed early Sunday morning responding to a domestic violence call.

Chief Werner served more than 13 years with the Burnsville Police Department, including eight years as a captain. He spoke to CCX Media’s Rusty Ray for an upcoming Cities segment of “Chat with the Chief.”

“When I saw the incident take place, obviously my friends, my colleagues down there and seeing what they’re going through, very difficult and struck home,” said Werner. “I appreciate you recognizing the two officers and the firefighter that were killed. They were murdered in the line of duty. And our hearts go out to them, our prayers are with them, particularly [Police] Chief [Tanya] Schwartz and [Fire] Chief [B.J.] Jungmann.”

Burnsville police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand, and firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth were all fatally shot.

Werner said he expects thousands to show up from across the country to support the men and women who serve the city of Burnsville.

“When a community loses an officer, firefighter, they’re losing a part of their fabric,” said Werner. “But also you lose someone in one community, you lose in all communities.”

According to investigators and a Hennepin County Medical Examiner report, the shooter, identified as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden, shot and killed himself during the standoff. 

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Gooden was heavily armed inside a Burnsville home with his girlfriend and seven children, who range in age from 2 to 15 years old. The woman and children made it out of the home after Gooden took his own life.

Court records show Gooden was not allowed to possess weapons.

Maple Grove