Minnesota Lawmaker, Spouse Killed, Other Injured in Political Attack/ Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL) and her husband were shot and killed in their home in Brooklyn Park in a politically motivated assassination. Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot in Champlin; they are currently recovering after surgery. The suspect—wearing body armor over a blue uniform and posing as a police officer—is at large and being pursued in a large-scale manhunt.
Political Assassination Rocks Minnesota: Quick Facts
- Targeted killings: Rep. Melissa Hortman and husband found dead at home.
- Surviving victims: Sen. John Hoffman and his wife wounded and hospitalized.
- Governor describes the incident as a “politically motivated assassination.”
- Suspect described: Wearing black body armor, blue shirt and pants; impersonated law enforcement.
- Law enforcement response: Massive manhunt underway; shelter-in-place order issued near Edinburgh Golf Course.
- State-level alert: Emergency Operations Center activated; FBI assisting the investigation.
- Public reaction: Senator Klobuchar and former Rep. Giffords expressed grief and called for unity.
- Threat to democracy: Calls for calm and condemning violence with emphasis on political safety.
Minnesota Lawmaker, Spouse Killed, Other Injured in Political Attack
Deep Look
The Incident
In the early hours of Saturday, authorities discovered that Minnesota’s former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband had been shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park. Minutes later, Congressman John Hoffman and his spouse were wounded in an unrelated shooting at their Champlin residence. Governor Walz has confirmed that all victims were specifically targeted in politically motivated attacks.
Suspect Profile and Manhunt
Investigators are hunting for a suspect believed to be male, disguised in black body armor over a blue shirt and pants, and possibly posing as law enforcement to gain entry. Law enforcement officials have urged residents to remain indoors and report any sightings. A shelter-in-place order remains active in a three-mile radius around Edinburgh Golf Course as police teams, including state troopers and the FBI, coordinate efforts.
Official Response
Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center and established a Joint Information Center to unify communication. Authorities in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have been backed by full state support as they investigate motives and work to find the perpetrator. Search teams remain deployed in both suburban areas.
Community and National Reaction
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar called the shootings “a stunning act of violence” and offered prayers for the victims and their families. Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords—who survived a mass shooting—denounced the killings, emphasising that attacks targeting public officials threaten democratic values and must be universally condemned.
Political Repercussions
These attacks highlight concerns over rising political violence and the safety of public servants. Governor Walz described the events as politically motivated, stressing that political differences must be resolved through discourse, not violence or intimidation.
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