A Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were shot and killed in their home early Saturday by someone posing as a police officer, and a second lawmaker and his wife were wounded in what Gov. Tim Walz described as “targeted political violence.”
Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. The other lawmaker and his wife were shot in Champlin, authorities said at a news conference. Police were 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,” Governor Walz said at a press conference Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
The wounded lawmaker was identified as state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. He represents a district north of Minneapolis.
Police have meanwhile recovered writings that mentioned the names of multiple lawmakers and other officials in the fake police car they believe a suspect used in the shooting of two Democratic legislators in Minnesota.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said that the writings that were recovered identified many lawmakers and other officials. The writings were discovered when officers searched a phony police car they believe the suspect used.
“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” said Chief Bruley.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect.
Superintendent Evans said. A “shelter in place” order was in effect early Saturday.
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said 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 honor and responsibility,” he said.
Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Ms. 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,” Chief Bruley said.
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.”
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, 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,” Speaker Demuth said in a statement.
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.
GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement:
“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.”
This article is by The Associated Press.
