Federal Prosecutors Seek Prison Term for Woman Involved in Firearm Purchases
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday asked a judge to impose a 41-month prison term for a woman who pleaded guilty to buying guns that were later used in the fatal Feb. 18, 2024, shooting of three Burnsville first responders.
Details of the Case
Court filings say Ashley Dyrdahl admitted in January to two counts of straw purchasing related to the deaths of police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth. Under her plea agreement, prosecutors dropped four additional straw-purchase counts and five counts alleging false statements during firearm purchases.
Purchase of Firearms and Events Leading to the Shooting
Records show Dyrdahl bought five firearms for her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Shannon Gooden, between September 2023 and January 2024, including two AR-15–style rifles.
Authorities say a Feb. 18 call reporting a sexual assault at Gooden’s home led to an hourslong standoff in which he fired more than 100 rounds at responding officers and medics. Ruge, Elmstrand, and Finseth were killed; Sgt. Adam Medlicott was wounded but ...