Minnesota gunman kills 2 cops and a paramedic who tried to help them during standoff

Two Minnesota police officers and a paramedic were shot dead during an hours-long standoff with a man who barricaded himself inside his home with his family, according to reports.

Officers Matthew Ruge, 27, and Paul Elmstrand, 27, along with 40-year-old paramedic and firefighter Adam Finseth, were gunned down while trying to rescue a family from a house in a sleepy Burnsville neighborhood early Sunday morning, according to the Star Tribune.

Authorities had responded to domestic abuse calls about a man who had barricaded himself inside his home with his family — a woman and seven children — around 2:30 a.m.

When police arrived it was determined the man had “multiple firearms” inside, with officers at the scene describing him as “dangerous” and “refusing to come out.”

After about three hours gunfire erupted and two officers dropped.

When Finseth tried to approach to rescue them, he was also gunned down.

About an hour later another shot was heard from inside the house and it was learned the suspect had taken his own life, reports said.

“We have a caller calling from inside saying the dad is down,” dispatchers said around 6:55 a.m., according to the Tribune.

“He is not breathing. He is in the bedroom … He just shot himself in the head,” they said.

The family was removed safely from the home shortly after, according to CBS.

Throughout Sunday, hundreds of police officers stood a vigil outside Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis where the victims’ bodies were taken.

“We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in a statement.

“Today, the families of these public servants received the call they knew was possible but hoped would never come. My heart is with those grieving families — the State of Minnesota stands ready to support in any way we can. This is a tragic loss for our state.”

The governor ordered flags flown at half mast Monday.

Elmstrand had served with the Burnsville Police Department since 2017, Ruge since 2020, and Finseth had served with the city since 2019.