Tragic Standoff in Minneapolis-Area Neighborhood: Man with History of Custody Disputes and Gun Restrictions Takes Fatal Action
In a shocking turn of events, a man identified as Shannon Gooden, 38, opened fire on police officers and a firefighter in Burnsville, a wealthy suburb of Minneapolis. The incident occurred after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at Gooden’s residence early Sunday morning. Authorities have revealed that Gooden was not legally allowed to possess firearms and had a long-standing custody and financial support dispute with the mother of his three oldest children.
The standoff with police took place just two days before a scheduled district court hearing concerning Gooden’s ongoing legal battles. Although court records indicate that the three oldest children primarily resided with Gooden, he still sought to revisit the court’s decision. The exact reason behind his desire to go back to court remains undisclosed.
Robert Manson, the attorney representing Gooden in the custody dispute, has not provided any comments at this time. However, court records reveal that Gooden had a troubled past that included a guilty plea in 2008 for second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. At the age of 22, he threw rocks and brandished a knife during an altercation in a Burnsville shopping mall parking lot. Consequently, the state barred him from owning guns.
While the details surrounding the domestic disturbance call on Sunday remain unknown, court records shed some light on Gooden’s family situation. It appears that he cared for seven children, including the three oldest from one mother, two from another, and her two children from a previous relationship. In 2020, when Gooden unsuccessfully petitioned for the restoration of his gun rights, he and his attorney argued that he had matured and regretted his past actions.
Nevertheless, his disputes over the parenting of his three oldest children had become increasingly contentious over time. He accused their mother of neglect, while she labeled him as “controlling” and accused him of abuse towards her and the children. Prosecutors strongly opposed his request to regain gun possession rights, citing his criminal history and repeated traffic violations that demonstrated a lack of respect for the law.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, revealed that negotiators spent a considerable amount of time trying to reason with Gooden before the tragic shooting occurred. In the end, Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27 years old, and Adam Finseth, a 40-year-old firefighter and paramedic who served on the city’s SWAT team, lost their lives. Fortunately, Sergeant Adam Medlicott was shot but later released from the hospital.
Gooden had previously served five years of probation for the 2007 assault charge. Although prosecutors dropped charges of making terroristic threats and criminal damage to property, court records indicate that the altercation began when he argued with a young woman inside the mall. He followed her and her cousin to their car, threatening to slash their tires. Ultimately, Gooden confronted the woman’s brother with a knife, but a security guard disarmed him. Frustrated, Gooden resorted to throwing rocks at the brother before fleeing in his own vehicle.
Expressing remorse for his past actions, Gooden stated in a sworn statement, “I greatly regret and have learned from the poor decisions of my past. I would like to have a second chance to prove myself as a productive member of society.” However, his efforts to seek relief from a 2017 order requiring him to pay child support were unsuccessful. The judge assigned a temporary guardian to protect the interests of his two boys, aged 12 and 15, and his daughter, aged 14. Concerns were raised about allegations of abuse against Gooden and the mental health of the children’s mother. Additionally, the children had witnessed physical altercations between their parents and other adults.
Although the custody issues were resolved in mid-2022, the parents continued to clash over schooling arrangements. Ultimately, Ramsey County Judge Thomas Gilligan Jr. ruled that the three children would spend 260 nights a year with Gooden and that their mother would be responsible for child support payments. However, by the beginning of 2023, Gilligan noted that there was minimal evidence of cooperation between the parents.
As investigators piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident, the community mourns the loss of three dedicated public servants. The story serves as a grim reminder of the complexities surrounding custody disputes, gun regulations, and the potential for violence. The aftermath of this standoff will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on all those involved and prompt discussions about how to prevent similar incidents in the future.