Matthew Henke Ruge was 27 and a Burnsville police officer when he was shot during a pre-dawn domestic call that became a barricade and hostage situation at a home in the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South in Burnsville, Minnesota, on February 18, 2024. Officers had been negotiating for a peaceful surrender while several family members, including seven children, remained inside. Investigators say the suspect, identified as Shannon Gooden, opened fire with more than 100 rounds at responding officers.

Ruge and fellow officer Paul Elmstrand were killed in the exchange, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth was fatally shot while providing aid; another officer was wounded and hospitalized. Ruge was taken to Hennepin Healthcare’s emergency room but did not survive; the medical examiner listed manner of death as homicide and cause as a gunshot wound to the chest. Authorities reported the suspect was found dead inside the home of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and the children escaped.

Are there readers who knew Officer Ruge or have information that could help clarify any part of the timeline?