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The woman charged with buying the two rifles that her boyfriend used to kill three Burnsville first responders last year pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to straw purchasing. 

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors are dropping three other straw purchasing counts against Ashley Dyrdahl, who also agreed to appear in public service announcements to warn about straw purchasing. She faces a recommended prison sentence of 30 to 37 months, though a judge has the final say. 

, who was barred from buying them himself because of a felony conviction. 

In February, Gooden fatally shot Burnsville officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth after they responded to a call about an alleged sexual assault. Investigators said Gooden killed himself during the 

Dyrdahl lived in the home with Gooden, as did seven children who were present at the time of the shooting. 

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors are dropping three other straw purchasing counts against Ashley Dyrdahl, who also agreed to appear in public service announcements to warn about straw purchasing.

MPR News correspondent Matt Sepic talks with All Things Considered host Tom Crann about the straw buyer in last year's Burnsville shooting

Although no one mentioned domestic violence in the plea hearing Tuesday, court documents show that in 2017, Dyrdahl had accused Gooden of abuse and requested a protection order. Court documents show at least three women had filed for protection orders against him.

What Burnsville tells us about domestic violence

The deaths of the three first responders gripped Burnsville and much of the state, with 

more than 10,000 people attending their February funeral

. Countless others watched a livestream of the event.

On Tuesday, Burnsville police officers and firefighters filled part of the gallery in the courtroom in St. Paul to once again show their support for the victims.

“She knows she can’t say sorry or express remorse enough to the people sitting behind us,” said Dyrdahl’s attorney, Manny Atwal.

After the plea hearing, Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been a strong partner since the attack 11 months ago, but she said prosecutors are constrained by federal law and sentencing guidelines.

“They’re working within those guidelines, and those might not always feel like the right guidelines for us, especially losing our partners. So we’re just here to support the families,” Schwartz said. 

Judge Jerry Blackwell is not bound by the plea agreement and can sentence Dyrdahl to any prison term that the law allows. But federal judges typically hew close to the deals that prosecutors and defense attorneys negotiate. 

Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann said that he’s glad that Dyrdahl accepted responsibility for her crimes, but added that emotions remain raw in the  police and fire departments.

“We know the next steps in the process. Healing is going to take a long time, so I don’t know that I would say it made much of a difference. I appreciate that she did it. There’s a big weight to bear still,” Jungmann said. 

If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with a partner, there is a 24-hour statewide domestic and sexual violence hotline. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.

Matt Sepic

Author

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors are dropping three other straw purchasing counts against Ashley Dyrdahl, who also agreed to appear in public service announcements to warn about straw purchasing.


The woman charged with buying the two rifles that her boyfriend used to kill three Burnsville first responders last year pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to straw purchasing.

Straw buyer in Burnsville first responder shooting pleads guilty

Liam James Doyle for MPR News

Tim Evans for MPR News

Members of the police leave a building--5

Straw buyer in Burnsville first responder shooting pleads guilty

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