Change of plea expected for woman accused of straw purchase of guns used in Burnsville shootings

The woman is accused of illegally buying guns for the man who killed three Burnsville first responders has indicated that it will change its plea.

Ashley Dyrdahl, 35, is federally charged with five counts of straw purchases, five counts of making false statements during gun purchases and one count of conspiracy.

Her at first pleaded not guilty to buy guns for 38-year-old Shannon Gooden, who was not allowed to own a gun due to a previous felony conviction.

Burnsville officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth were killed during the February standoff.

The owner of a gun dealer in Burnsville confirmed to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that a gun part found at Gooden’s home was straw purchased and traced to his store.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dyrdahl worked with Gooden, with whom she was in a relationship, to help him obtain guns because Gooden could not legally have guns due to his prior convictions.

Prosecutors say Gooden would text Dyrdahl the guns he wanted her to buy and that she would then place the orders, fill out the forms and tell him, “We just gotta make sure we’re smart about all of this, you know?” ‘

Among the weapons she allegedly purchased and gave to Gooden were three semiautomatic sub-receivers for AR-15-style guns, including one with a binary trigger and heavier-load ammunition for increased damage.

A hearing on the change of plea is scheduled for December 18.