A Minnesota state representative and her husband were killed, and a state senator and his wife were seriously injured in separate shootings early Saturday that authorities are investigating as politically motivated attacks.
The suspect, who remains at large, allegedly posed as a law enforcement officer and used a fake badge to gain entry to the victims’ homes, according to officials. A large-scale manhunt is underway in the suburbs north of Minneapolis.
Gov. Tim Walz described the incidents as an “apparent politically motivated assassination” during a news conference Saturday. He identified the slain victims as state Rep. Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park and her husband, Mark Hortman. State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife, Yvette, were also shot and remain hospitalized. Their conditions have not been released.
Both lawmakers are members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. The shootings occurred at their respective homes, which are located about eight miles apart in the Twin Cities metro area.
No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon, and authorities urged anyone with information to come forward.
“This is an attack on democracy and an unspeakable act of violence against public servants and their families,” Walz said. “We will not rest until the person responsible is brought to justice.”
The investigation is ongoing.
