A gunman impersonating a police officer shot and killed Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Saturday morning at their home after wounding Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in a similar shooting.
While Hortman and her husband died after the shooting in Brooklyn Park, Hoffman and his wife are out of surgery after being shot at their Champlin home. Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) said at a press conference that officials are “cautiously optimistic” that Hoffman and his wife will survive.
Walz called Hortman’s killing a “politically motivated assassination,” and characterized Hoffman’s shooting as an assassination attempt. A manifesto listing off names of lawmakers and other officials was found in the suspect’s car, along with “No Kings” flyers apparently in reference to a series of anti-Trump protests being held Saturday.
“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said of Hortman.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has been briefed on the “terrible shooting,” which he said “appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.”
“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,” he added. “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she is monitoring the situation and declared that “this horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The legislators represent districts north of Minneapolis.
Walz has activated the state’s emergency operations center. Additional security has been provided to elected officials where it is necessary, after the manifesto was found in the shooter’s car.
A manhunt is currently underway for the suspect who shot Hoffman and Hortman along with their spouses. Hundreds of police officers are involved in the search, officials said.
The governor, who was scheduled to speak at an anti-Trump “No Kings” rally in Minnesota on Saturday, has urged people not to attend political rallies in the state while the suspect is at large — especially “No Kings” protests, given that the gunman had related flyers in his car.
He posted on X, “Out of an abundance of caution my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today in Minnesota until the suspect is apprehended.”
The gunman targeted Hoffman and his wife first at around 2 a.m. Saturday. At around 3:35 a.m., a call came in concerning Hortman, and officers checked on her. Officers encountered the suspect, who fired at them. They exchanged fire before he escaped.
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 and is on foot. Officials reported he had a taser, a badge, and drove a vehicle that looked like a police car.
“This is somebody that clearly had been impersonating a police officer, again, using the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home,” Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said.
“If they were in this room, you would assume that they are a police officer,” he added.
Police are asking residents to call 911 if a person saying they are a police officer knocks on their door, and officers have been instructed to approach people in pairs.
Police have detained “several people” and have questioned them, but the suspect has yet to be found.
Several reports have emerged claiming to identify the shooter as a 57-year-old who has been appointed to positions by two Democratic Minnesota governors, including Walz, but the reports have not been confirmed by police.
Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin seemingly dismissed the reports as right-wing “disinformation” in a post on X.
“We’re seeing a wave of disgusting rhetoric and false claims coming from the far-right about the Minnesota shooting,” he said. “As real families grieve the loss of loved ones, rightwing accounts are working overtime to circulate disinformation on social media.”
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.
“This is a stunning act of violence. I’m thankful for all the law enforcement who are responding in real time,” she wrote on X. “My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families. Both legislators are close friends and devoted to their families and public service.”
Fellow Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) also reacted to the shootings.
“This morning Minnesota woke up to news of a brutal act of violence targeting public servants,” she wrote on X. “I am heartbroken to learn that our Speaker Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman and their spouses have been shot. I’ve worked closely with these fine legislators for many years. Archie and I are grateful for the incredible response of law enforcement and hope that everyone will be safe today.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the attacks are “acts of political extremism and an assault on our democracy itself.”
“We must stand united against political violence in all forms—and bring those responsible to swift and full justice. My heart aches for the victims and their families,” he wrote.
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Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, a Republican, posted on X that the state legislators were friends of his. “I’m sick,” he said.
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.
