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How to help families of slain Burnsville officers, firefighter
The city of Burnsville on Tuesday released information on a verified donation site coordinated by Law Enforcement Labor Services.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The city of Burnsville says there is now a verified fund to help the families of two police officers and a firefighter-paramedic who gave their lives trying to keep the community safe.
In a news release and social posts Tuesday morning, city officials announced that those wanting to make financial donations are now being steered to a site coordinated by Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS), saying contributions will be “delivered directly to the families” of Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and Adam Finseth.
City leaders added that the outpouring of support and contributions already seen over the past two days from people across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota wanting to help the loved ones of the three first responders is deeply appreciated.
On its website, the LELS details the benevolent fund, saying it “provides support and financial aid for the families of LELS members and the families of other Minnesota Public Safety Professionals, who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, regardless of their union membership.” The fund is managed by a board that reviews the circumstances of the first responder’s death and if approved, will transfer funds to eligible family members and survivors.
Those wanting to help can donate electronically on the website or by mailing contributions to:
LELS Benevolent Fund, Inc.
c/o: Law Enforcement Labor Services
2700 Freeway Boulevard, Suite 700
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Officers Elmstrand and Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Finseth were fatally shot early Sunday after responding to reports of a domestic situation inside a home on the 12600 block of 33rd Ave. S. Law enforcement officials say a man later identified as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden had barricaded himself inside the home with multiple firearms and a cache of ammunition. Despite efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution, authorities say Gooden opened fire, killing Elmstrand and Ruge, and then Finseth as he attempted to provide aid to the wounded officers.
A fourth first responder, Burnsville Police Sgt. Adam Medlicott, was wounded in the incident but was treated and released from a local hospital.
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Vikings fans were ecstatic to see their team beat the New York Jets.
FRIDLEY, Minn. — Vikings fans packed Forgotten Star Brewery early Sunday morning to watch the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets game in London.
Hundreds of people were at the Fridley brewery to watch the game on a 15-foot screen at 8:30 a.m. Hodgepodge food truck was also there serving up brunch specials for fans to have with a pint of beer.
“We were up at 4:30 this morning, ready to go, getting our gameday gear ready,” said Luke Drake. Luke got there at 6 a.m. with his wife Nicole to make sure they got a prime spot.
“Before we were together, I was a Vikings fan and not like a super crazy Vikings fan. [Now] we’re up like a 5, 6 a.m., on Sundays, and it’s like we’re ready to go, we’re in front of the TV and we’re ready for the game to start,” Nicole said.
If you can’t tell by Shannon Russell’s purple hair, she bleeds purple and gold.
“I just love football,” she said.
Russell didn’t grow up in a sports family and came across the Vikings by chance when she was 10 years old.
“I was just up watching cartoons one morning and saw the Vikings playing and not understanding what it was, and I just fell in love with it,” Russell said.
Her favorite player is No. 22.
“I love watching Harrison Smtih while he comes up and he’s like ‘Am I going to rush, I don’t know’ and then he just bails out and I love watching that,” she said.
Liz Johnson was also up early with her two kids, Henry and Alice.
“I like football. I like watching. I enjoy the surprises that come with it. I like Forgotten Star, so it’s a perfect place to be, snacks, food,” Henry said.
“It’s pretty cool because you can see the TVs over there, over there, you can look behind you and see it over there, and you can look right there and see it a giant screen,” Alice said.
Alice got creative to pass some of the time, making art with her hands.
“I’m making bracelets,” she said. “So, first you take the first one, twist it and put it around your fingers.”
Even though the kids were up early, the Johnsons wouldn’t have it any other way to watch their hometown town leave London with a win.
Police said the 7-year-old victim was skateboarding on Saturday night.
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The road closure is expected to last until about 11:30 p.m. tonight, according to MnDOT.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — Officials have closed the westbound lanes of US Highway 12 starting at I-494 in Minnetonka after a collision occurred on Saturday night.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 511 Map, the road is closed and there was a “serious crash,” on the highway.
The road closure is expected to last until about 11:30 p.m. tonight, according to MnDOT.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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