Hundreds line Twin Cities streets to honor 3 Burnsville first responders killed in line of duty
MINNEAPOLIS — An emotional journey took three Twin Cities first responders killed in the line of duty Sunday from a downtown Minneapolis hospital to the medical examiner's office in Minnetonka.
The victims were identified by the City of Burnsville as police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth.
RELATED: 2 officers, 1 paramedic killed in Burnsville, Minnesota
Their caskets, draped in American flags, were carried into vans outside Hennepin Healthcare Sunday afternoon as a crowd of law enforcement stood to salute them.
The men were responding to a call earlier in the day about an armed man barricaded inside a home with family members, including seven children between the ages of 2 and 15. City officials say "the situation escalated into gunfire" and the three were fatally shot.
BPD's Sgt. Adam Medlicott was also shot and is expected to survive, according to city officials.
RELATED: How to help the families of Burnsville police officers and paramedic killed in shooting
The suspect, identified Monday by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden, died by suicide, a medical examiner said. The people inside were able to safely exit the home, officials say.
Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff lined up in the skyway to see them off. Police, fire and paramedic vehicles stayed close as the vans departed downtown.
Hundreds lined metro streets along the 16-mile route to pay their respects. Firefighters saluted their fallen brothers from the tops of their trucks on an overpass. Other companies hung American flags from the ends of their ladders.
RRELATED: Burnsville shooting suspect identified as Shannon Gooden
As the procession approached Minnetonka, families stood solemnly on the side of the street.
When they reached the medical examiner's office, the escort didn't end at the entrance. The group walked in alongside the fallen first responders so they were never alone.
A vigil was held for the victims Sunday evening at Burnsville City Hall.
Suicide prevention and domestic violence resources
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224.
