Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed by someone posing as a police officer on Saturday, and a second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded in what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said were politically motivated shootings.
Hortman, a state representative, and her spouse were killed in their Brooklyn Park home; Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times in Champlin, authorities said at a news conference.
Authorities were actively searching for a suspect in the hours following the shootings.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz told a news conference. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
Hoffman was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice-chair of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter.
Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House Speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children.
Both Hoffman and Hortman represented districts located north of Minneapolis.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said autopsies will be done to determine the extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds. A “shelter in place” order was in effect early Saturday.
Suspect had vehicle resembling ‘SUV squad car’
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson confirmed the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.
“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility,” he said.
Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman’s house after an exchange of gunfire with police.
The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Bruley said.
Trump says FBI investigating
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.
“Our attorney general, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark.
“With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders in the U.S. have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a period of deep political divisions.
Giffords, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former U.S. representative Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement:
“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well,” Giffords said. “An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”
Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
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