Washington: Minnesota was shaken on Saturday after a politically motivated shooting claimed the lives of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, while leaving state Senator John Hoffman and his wife wounded. Governor Tim Walz confirmed the tragic incident and called for unity against politically fueled violence.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz stated during a press conference. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
US President Donald Trump also denounced the incident, calling it a “terrible shooting.”
The attack occurred in what authorities have described as a targeted act. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, revealed that officials are still in pursuit of the suspect. Evans added that autopsies would confirm the exact details, but that Hortman and her husband died from gunshot wounds. A “shelter in place” order was enforced in the area early Saturday.
Hoffman, a Democrat first elected to the state Senate in 2012, sustained injuries in the attack. He had earlier served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board—the governing body of Minnesota’s largest school district. He is married and has a daughter.
Melissa Hortman, who had been the state Legislature’s leading Democratic figure and a former House speaker, was first elected in 2004.
Authorities said the suspect was impersonating a law enforcement officer. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson remarked, “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.”
Police Chief Mark Bruley described the suspect as having fled the scene after exchanging fire with officers at Hortman’s residence. “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.
The FBI has joined the investigation, as per a statement by the agency’s deputy director, Dan Bonginio.
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, expressed her sorrow. “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,” she said, adding, “evil” had struck the state and she was “heartbroken beyond words” over the killings.
The incident highlights rising concerns over increasing threats and violence against public officials amid a deeply divided political climate.
In response, GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, issued a strong 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 herself survived a 2011 assassination attempt that left six people dead and 12 others wounded. She resigned from Congress in 2012 to focus on her recovery.
