Two Minnesota politicians — Democratic Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman — and their spouses were shot by a gunman impersonating a police officer early Saturday morning.
Hortman and her husband died after the shooting, while Hoffman and his spouse are out of surgery, Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) announced at a Saturday press conference. He said officials are “cautiously optimistic” that Hoffman and his spouse will survive.
Walz called Hortman’s killing a “politically motivated assassination,” and characterized Hoffman’s shooting as an assassination attempt.
A manhunt is currently underway for the suspect who shot Hoffman in Champlin and Hortman in Brooklyn Park, the former Speaker of the chamber.
Prior to the press conference, Walz activated the state’s emergency operations center.
“Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them,” he wrote on X. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon.”
Police have reported that the suspect is a white man with brown hair wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants, who is impersonating law enforcement.
A shelter-in-place order has been issued near the site of the shootings. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said the order surrounds the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park.
Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) reacted to the shootings on X. Fischbach called it “horrifying,” and Jeffries offered his prayers to the victims.
Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, a Republican, posted on X that “more details will be public soon.”
WHY EVEN LAWFUL DEPORTATIONS ARE BEING SHOT DOWN IN COURT
“They were both friends…” he said, “I’m sick.”
The Washington Examiner contacted the Brooklyn Park Police Department and is awaiting further information. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Champlin Police Department did not respond to an inquiry.
This breaking news story is developing. Check back later for updates.
