The woman charged with providing guns for the man who fatally shot three Burnsville first responders and wounded another says she is ready to plead guilty to federal charges.
Ashley Anne Dyrdahl, 36, was indicted by a grand jury in March on 11 counts, including conspiracy, straw purchasing and making false statements, for procuring five firearms on behalf of 38-year-old Shannon Cortez Gooden, who was prohibited from having them based on a prior conviction.
The two AR-15-style firearms used to kill the three Burnsville first responders and wound another in February were bought by Dyrdahl, Gooden’s girlfriend, just weeks before he used them to unload more than 100 rounds during an hourslong standoff at the couple’s home, according to the charges.
Two rifles used in the Feb. 18 shooting were bought by Dyrdahl on Jan. 5 and Jan. 25, respectively, weeks before Gooden shot and killed officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, then took his own life. Gooden also wounded Burnsville police Sgt. Adam Medlicott during the shootout.
Dyrdahl was living at the home with Gooden on the day police were called in response to a domestic abuse call. Gooden barricaded himself inside with seven children present.
Dyrdahl had been scheduled to go on trial Dec. 2 in St. Paul before Judge Jerry Blackwell. However, a court filing made by the defense Wednesday now sets the stage for her to rescind her plea of not guilty and enter guilty pleas to one or more charges on Dec. 18. From there, a date for sentencing will follow.
In the meantime, Dyrdahl remains free on a personal recognizance bond while attorneys on both sides prepare to tell the court what they think her punishment should be. Dyrdahl’s attorney declined Thursday to comment on the case, as did the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
While the anticipated plea agreement will spell out a sentencing range based on federal guidelines, judges on the federal level have wide discretion and can depart from what guidelines suggest.