Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says former state Home Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband had been shot and killed in a politically motivated assassination, and a second lawmaker and his spouse had been shot and wounded. Authorities had been actively trying to find a suspect hours after the focused killings.
Watch Walz’s press convention within the participant above.
“We should all, in Minnesota and throughout the nation, stand towards all types of political violence,” Walz stated at a press convention Saturday. “These liable for this shall be held accountable.”
READ MORE: Minnesota lawmaker and her husband killed in politically motivated shooting, Walz says
The wounded lawmaker was recognized as state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He beforehand served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin Faculty Board, which manages the biggest college district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter and represents a district north of Minneapolis.
Hortman was the highest Home Democratic chief within the state Legislature and a former Home speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two kids.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Prison Apprehension, stated that authorities had been actively trying to find a suspect.
Officers canvas the neighborhood after what police stated was a focused capturing within the space round Edinburgh Golf Course within the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, June 14, 2025. Picture by Ellen Schmidt/Reuters
Autopsies shall be carried out to find out extent of accidents, however Hortman and her partner died from gunshot wounds, Evans stated. A “shelter in place” order was in impact early Saturday.
Public Security Commissioner Bob Jacobson stated the suspect was posing as a regulation enforcement officer.
“Suspect exploited the belief of our uniforms, what our uniforms are supposed to signify. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to these of us who put on the badge with honor and duty,” he stated.
Police Chief Mark Bruley stated the suspect fled out of the again of Hortman’s home after an alternate of gunfire with police.
The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and working a automobile that “seemed precisely like an SUV squad automobile. It was geared up with lights, emergency lights and seemed precisely like a police automobile,” Bruley stated.
President Donald Trump stated in a White Home assertion that the FBI would be a part of within the investigation.
“Our Legal professional Basic, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the scenario, and they are going to be prosecuting anybody concerned to the fullest extent of the regulation. Such horrific violence is not going to be tolerated in america of America. God Bless the good individuals of Minnesota, a very excellent place!”
Minnesota Home Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Chilly Spring, referred to as the assault “evil” and stated she was “heartbroken past phrases” by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark.
“With the regulation enforcement response ongoing and particulars nonetheless rising, I’ll merely ask all Minnesotans to please elevate up in prayer the victims of this horrific assault, in addition to the regulation enforcement personnel nonetheless working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth stated in a press release.
The shootings occurred at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated throughout a time of deep political divisions.