Two Minnesota lawmakers were shot Saturday by a man reportedly posing as a police officer, according to multiple reports, and one of them has died.
Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) acknowledged the unfolding situation in a post on X, though he did not confirm specific details. According to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS’ Tom Hauser, citing sources, State Sen. John Hoffman was shot at his home in Champlin, while State Rep. Melissa Hortman was shot at her residence in Brooklyn Park.
Both lawmakers are Democrats. FOX 9 reported that the lawmakers and their spouses were shot inside their homes. Hortman and her spouse have been killed, according to reports.
“I’ve activated the State Emergency Operations Center,” Walz wrote. “Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them. We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon.”
The suspect posed as a police officer, including his uniform and vehicle — an SUV with police lights, according to reports. Authorities
Police have described the suspect as armed and dangerous, urging the public not to approach him. He is believed to be a white male with brown hair, wearing black body armor. A shelter-in-place alert has been issued for residents in the affected areas.
“This is a stunning act of violence. I’m thankful for all the law enforcement who are responding in real time,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said in her post. “My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families. Both legislators are close friends and devoted to their families and public service.”
The suspect allegedly exchanged gunfire with responding police officers before fleeing. Reports indicate the shootings were politically motivated “assassination” attempts. The FBI is assisting with the investigation.
“Our state lost a great leader,” Walz said at a press briefing Saturday morning. “Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor and a sense of service.”
“The Hoffmans are out of surgery at this time and receiving care, and we are cautiously optimally optimistic, they will survive this assassination attempt,” he added.
“This was an act of targeted political violence,” Walz said. “Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle their differences with violence or at gunpoint in the state of Minnesota.”
