BREAKING NEWS: A gunman disguised as a police officer assassinated Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband early Saturday morning. The assassin is also suspected of shooting State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife on Saturday. Following, is our live coverage. This page will be updated throughout the day. Here’s what we know:
Statement From President Trump
I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which 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. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!
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Gov. Walz: It was Targeted Political Violence
“This was an act of targeted political violence,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. “Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle their differences with violence or at gunpoint in the state of Minnesota.”
“Our state lost a great leader,” Walz said at a press briefing Saturday morning, describing the incident as an “unspeakable tragedy. “Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor and a sense of service. She was a formidable public servant, a fixture, and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many Minnesotans.”Â
Minnesota Republicans Condemn Shootings
Minnesota’s Senate Republican leader, Mark Johnson, said he was heartbroken by the attacks on Democratic lawmakers. “Senate Republicans are unified in our condemnation of this brazen act of violence,” he said in a statement. “We thank law enforcement and Capitol Security for their coordinated effort responding to the threat and delivering justice.”
Original Reporting on the Shootings
Multiple people, including at least two Democrat lawmakers and their spouses, were shot in their homes in what Minnesota law enforcement believes were targeted attacks.
House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, said in a statement: “I am shocked and horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight. Please lift up in prayer the victims, as well as the law enforcement personnel working to apprehend the perpetrator.”
ABC News reports that two of those shot are state Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and state Rep. Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park. Both were shot at their homes, and authorities believe the shooter was impersonating law enforcement.
There is no official word on the condition of the lawmakers or their spouses.
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“I’ve been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park,” Walz said in a social media post. “The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon.”
A shelter-in-place alert was issued early this morning that includes a three-mile radius around the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Authorities are also telling people in the area not to answer their door for a police officer unless it’s two officers together, or call 911 to confirm the identity of the officer at your door.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune described the suspect as a white male with brown hair and wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants.
Mounds View Mayor Zach Lindstrom wrote on X: “I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok. Any type of violence against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok. My understanding is that its someone cos-playing as a officer and they haven’t been caught. For those going out to protest today please do it safely and if something looks off say something we do not need anyone else to get hurt.” This page will be updated with more information throughout the day. Click here to receive my breaking news alerts.