MINNEAPOLIS —
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger and law enforcement officials announced an indictment Thursday in the Burnsville shooting that killed three first responders.
Ashley Dyrdahl is accused of straw purchasing the weapons used in the shooting, Luger's office said.
Dyrdahl "conspired with Shannon Cortez Gooden to place firearms in Gooden's hands, despite the fact Gooden could not legally own or possess firearms," the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota alleges.
Drydahl was Gooden's on-again, off-again girlfriend. Police say Gooden killed Burnsville police officers Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand and paramedic Adam Finseth during a standoff last month.
"The indictment makes it clear that Dyrdahl and Gooden knew exactly what they were doing," Luger said. "That he could not purchase firearms because he was a convicted felon. So instead, he would pick out specific weapons and she would buy them in violation of federal law — placing powerful weapons in the hands of a violent, convicted felon."
The indictment alleges Dyrdahl bought five guns for Gooden between September 2023 and January 2024, including two AR-15-style weapons used during the standoff.
Indictment Announced in Burnsville Shooting Case
Luger announced the indictment at 11 a.m. at the U.S. Courthouse in Minneapolis. He was joined by Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann, Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz and other law enforcement leaders.
"We will never stop seeking justice for Matt, Paul, Adam and their families," Schwartz said.
Luger said Dyrdahl will surrender to U. S. Marshals and will make an initial appearance before a federal judge in St. Paul at 3 p.m. She faces up to 15 years in prison.
Details of the Incident
Authorities were answering a domestic assault call on Feb. 18 when Gooden opened fire. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the investigating agency, said Gooden fired off more than 100 rounds during the standoff.
According to the indictment, Gooden was convicted of second-degree assault in Dakota County in 2008, which prevented him from legally owning guns. Dyrdahl knew Gooden's conviction precluded him from owning firearms, even writing a letter in 2020 in support of restoring his gun rights.
"The consequences of this disregard for public safety are beyond comprehension," Luger said.
RELATED: ATF agent on dangers of straw purchasers: "They are on the same level as the actual trigger pullers"
Gooden died by suicide after killing the first responders, authorities said.
WCCO uncovered that two of the guns involved in the shooting are currently under investigation for being straw purchases, where someone buys a gun for an individual who is not allowed to possess one. In this scenario, firearms acquired by another person ended up in Gooden's possession.
The federal grand jury, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office, is looking into the shooting incident. Noemi Torres was called to testify on Tuesday. Torres is the mother of three children shared with Gooden.
The public memorial service for all three responders took place at the end of February.
Court documents reveal extensive history of domestic incidents
The relationship between Dyrdahl and Gooden dates back around 15 years, with their first child born in 2016. Legal records indicate that their relationship became tumultuous the following year.
According to court papers, Dyrdahl filed for a protection order against Gooden citing domestic violence.
She accused him of head-butting and pushing her down the stairs. The order was dismissed due to Dyrdahl's absence in court.
In the subsequent month, Gooden contacted authorities and alleged that Dyrdahl arrived intoxicated with their son in the car during a child exchange. Dyrdahl was convicted of DWI in this incident, having a prior DWI conviction as well.
A few days later, the two arranged custody terms and visitation schedules for the child. In 2020, Dyrdahl served as a character witness for Gooden when he sought to have his firearm rights reinstated through legal means.
"Shannon has remained focused on his life and his objectives," she stated in the petition.
The district attorney objected to the petition, pointing out, among other things, Dyrdahl's previous request for an order of protection.
