Rep. Hortman and Husband Killed, Sen. Hoffman and Wife Shot in ‘Politically-Motivated Assassination’
Authorities confirm that House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and her husband Mark were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday morning.
At a press conference on Saturday morning, Gov. Tim Walz called the shootings “an act of targeted political violence.”
“We’re here today because an unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota,” Walz said. “Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends. Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor, and a sense of service.”
Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) and his wife were also shot multiple times at their home in nearby Champlin and have been hospitalized.
“They are out of surgery at this time and receiving care and we are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt,” Walz said.
The suspect, who impersonated a police officer during the shootings, remains at-large.
Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) and Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) were both shot in their homes early Saturday morning.
Law enforcement officials say the first emergency call came in around 2 a.m., reporting gunshots in Champlin. There, officers discovered Hoffman and his wife with multiple gunshot wounds.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said a law enforcement officer noted that the victim was a state legislator, and asked to go check on Hortman’s house, which is only a few miles away.
According to Bruley, the officer saw what appeared to be a SUV squad vehicle with flashing emergency lights in the driveway and a suspect dressed as a police officer.
Brooklyn Park police exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who retreated back into the Hortman home.
Inside the home, police discovered a man with gunshot wounds, and were able to pull him out of the house to attempt first aid. Officers surrounded the Hortman home, and used a drone to investigate. They found Hortman, but not the suspect.
Authorities also discovered what’s been described as a “manifesto” in the SUV squad vehicle.
In the press conference, authorities would not confirm if Hortman, Hoffman, and the others targets on the list were from the DFL party.
As of Saturday morning, police have issued a shelter in place order within a three mile radius of Edinburgh USA Golf Course in Brooklyn Park while they search for the suspect.
Hortman was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004.
Hoffman, who chairs the Senate Human Services Committee, has served since 2012.
See also: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety posted the full press conference.
Kevin Miller contributed to this report.
More Coverage on Rep. Hortman Assassination, Sen. Hoffman Shooting
- Vance Boelter, Suspect in Hortman Murders, Arrested Following ‘Largest Manhunt in State History’
- Sen. Hoffman Improving But Not ‘Out of the Woods’ After Shooting
