Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed early Saturday morning in what officials described as a "politically-motivated assassination," prompting a massive, multi-agency manhunt for a gunman who police say was impersonating a police officer. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times but survived, according to state authorities.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed the killings at a press conference, calling Hortman "a formidable public servant" and "irreplaceable." Walz added, "We're cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt," referring to the Hoffmans, who underwent surgery Saturday morning.
Law enforcement responded around 2:00 a.m. to reports of gunfire at the Hoffman residence in Champlin, a suburb north of Minneapolis. According to Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans, officers administered life-saving care before transporting the couple to a hospital. About 90 minutes later, officers arrived at Hortman's home in Brooklyn Park for a welfare check and encountered a man dressed in a police uniform exiting the residence.
Authorities said the individual wore a vest, badge, and carried a Taser and other equipment. When approached by police, the suspect opened fire. A gunfight ensued before the man fled the scene on foot. His vehicle-described as resembling a police car with emergency lights-was found in Hortman's driveway. Inside, officers recovered a list of names labeled as additional targets, many of them state lawmakers, police said.
"This is a very large scale search," Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley stated. "We have detained several people and questioned them, but we do not have anybody in custody at this time."
The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order within a three-mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course, warning residents not to open doors for any single officer. "Police are asking that no one open their door to a lone police officer," the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office stated. "Licensed officers are working in pairs."
Bruley urged residents to call 911 to verify if a person claiming to be a police officer is legitimate.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the attack and condemned the shooting. "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on social media.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she is "closely monitoring developments in Minnesota," and added, "This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed the bureau is "fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota." A Joint Information Center and the State Emergency Operations Center have been activated to coordinate the response, Governor Walz's spokesperson said.
Senator Amy Klobuchar called the attack "a stunning act of violence," adding, "My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families. Both legislators are close friends and devoted to their families and public service."
Former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011, said in a 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."
