The girlfriend of Shannon Gooden, the man involved in a tragic Minnesota shooting incident that claimed the lives of three Burnsville first responders, has been indicted for straw purchasing firearms, including the weapons used in the fatal incident.

Ashley Anne Dyrdahl, aged 35, stands accused of buying multiple firearms for Minnesota shooting suspect Shannon Gooden's girlfriend, who was legally prohibited from owning guns due to a prior felony conviction, according to Fox9.

The tragic events unfolded in Burnsville, Minnesota, on February 18, when Gooden barricaded himself in their home and opened fire on responding officers, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a firefighter.

Minnesota shooting suspect Shannon Gooden subsequently died in the incident.

Dyrdahl's relationship with Gooden began in 2016, and she was aware of his felony status due to a prior conviction for second-degree assault.

Despite this knowledge, Dyrdahl allegedly purchased firearms for Gooden between September 2023 and January 2024, knowingly violating federal laws regarding firearm purchases.

Prosecutors allege that Dyrdahl purchased firearms at Gooden's direction, completing required paperwork falsely stating that she was the intended owner of the guns and that they were not intended for a felon.

Text messages between Dyrdahl and Gooden cited in the indictment suggest coordination in the purchases, with Dyrdahl advising caution to avoid detection.

The indictment lists charges against Dyrdahl, including conspiracy, straw purchasing, and making false statements during firearm purchases.

She appeared in court Thursday, and it remains unclear if she has legal representation.

Details of Purchases and Communications

The indictment provides detailed accounts of Dyrdahl's straw-purchasing firearms and communications with Minnesota shooting suspect Shannon Gooden.

It alleges that Dyrdahl bought three semiautomatic AR-15-style firearm lower-receivers, including one with a binary trigger, which enhances the rate of fire. Additionally, she purchased .300-caliber ammunition, described as having increased lethality, for firearms.

Text exchanges between Dyrdahl and Shannon Gooden suggest their involvement in planning the purchases and discussions about firearm specifications and ammunition, CNN reports.

Despite warnings about the potentially illegal nature of their actions, the indictment suggests a deliberate effort to circumvent regulations.

Response and Investigation

Authorities expressed dismay over the tragic events and emphasized the need for accountability in firearm transactions.

US Attorney Andrew Luger highlighted the cooperation of firearm dealers in the investigation, indicating their commitment to preventing illegal firearm transfers, StarTribune noted.

The indictment sheds light on the circumstances leading to the tragic incident and underscores the importance of enforcing laws governing firearm purchases.

As legal proceedings unfold, questions regarding accountability and responsibility in firearm transactions will continue to be addressed.

The tragic loss of life in the Minnesota shooting serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of illegal firearm transactions and the need for stricter enforcement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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