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2 police officers and paramedic killed in Burnsville, Minnesota shooting

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Authorities in Burnsville, Minnesota, announced they will release more details in the coming days regarding the fatal shooting that claimed the lives of two police officers and a paramedic early Sunday, Feb 19.

Officers Paul Emstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, along with 40-year-old Adam Finseth, a firefighter and paramedic, were killed in the line of duty. A third officer was injured in the incident and is currently hospitalized but expected to survive.

During an emotional press conference, Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz reflected on the tragedy. “We are all hurting, our officers, our fire department, our families, all of our staff, our community. We’re heartbroken,” said Schwartz. “Today, three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes.”

The incident unfolded following a domestic violence call reporting a “family in danger.” Police were informed that an armed suspect had barricaded himself inside a home with family members, including seven children under the age of 15.

Authorities engaged in hours of negotiation with the suspect, during which the gunman opened fire, killing Emstrand, Ruge, and Finseth. The confrontation eventually led to an exchange of gunfire, resulting in the suspect’s death a short time later. All family members were safely evacuated from the home.

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[KARAH RUCKER]

MORE DETAILS ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED IN THE COMING DAYS IN THE FATAL SHOOTING OF 2 POLICE OFFICERS AND A PARAMEDIC IN BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA.

OFFICERS PAUL EMSTRAND AND MATTHEW RUGE (ROO-GHEE), BOTH 27 YEARS OLD, AND 40-YEAR-OLD ADAM FINSETH – A FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDIC – WERE KILLED EARLY SUNDAY.

A THIRD OFFICER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND IS EXPECTED TO SURVIVE. 

THE BURNSVILLE POLICE CHIEF —

GETTING EMOTIONAL DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE — WHILE REMEMBERING THOSE KILLED.

TANYA SCHWARTZ, BURNSVILLE MINNESOTA POLICE CHIEF

“ We are all hurting, our officers, our fire department. Our families. All of our staff, our community. We’re heartbroken. Today, three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

POLICE RESPONDED TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL OF A “FAMILY IN DANGER” – WHERE AN ARMED SUSPECT WAS BARRICADED INSIDE A HOME WITH FAMILY MEMBERS – INCLUDING SEVEN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15.

AUTHORITIES SAY WHILE OFFICERS NEGOTIATED WITH THE SUSPECT FOR HOURS – AT ONE POINT THE GUNMAN OPENED FIRE – KILLING THE RESPONDING OFFICERS AND EMT.

THERE WAS AN EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE BETWEEN POLICE AND THE SUSPECT – WHO WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD A SHORT TIME LATER.

ALL FAMILY MEMBERS MADE IT SAFELY OUT OF THE HOME.