Police officers and a paramedic were met with gunfire in a Minneapolis suburb while responding to a potential sexual abuse case, resulting in two officers and the paramedic losing their lives. Dakota County Attorney Kathryn Keena stated in a report that the officers were justified in using deadly force against the armed resident, Shannon Gooden, who later died by suicide. Gooden’s girlfriend had called 911 for help, leading to hours of negotiation that culminated in the exchange of fire.
The authorities’ most detailed account of the incident mentioned that Gooden had multiple firearms and was inside the residence with seven children aged 5 to 15. The officers decided to negotiate rather than rush in to arrest him after spotting the children upstairs. Gooden, although denying that he was armed, fired from upstairs, injuring several officers, including the use of cover fire to protect their colleagues.
After negotiations turned violent, Gooden continued to resist, firing at officers and ultimately taking his own life. The children inside the house were unharmed and safely evacuated after his death. Gooden, a convicted felon prohibited from owning firearms, was later found to have been in possession of high-powered weapons purchased by his girlfriend, who was subsequently charged in federal court for enabling his access to these firearms.
