Two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot in “politically motivated” shootings overnight. State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband died in the shooting and state Senator John Hoffman and his wife were critically wounded, Governor Tim Walz confirmed on Saturday.
In a press conference, Walz described the deaths of Hortman and her husband in Brooklyn Park as a “political assassination”. “Melissa was a formidable public servant,” he said, remembering her grace, humor and unwavering service to the people of Minnesota.
Senator Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times at their home in neighboring Champlin. Walz said they remain hospitalised and that officials are “cautiously optimistic” about their recovery.
Both shootings occurred in suburban cities within the Minneapolis metropolitan area.
Residents advised to stay indoors
The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order for a three-mile radius around Edinburgh Golf Course. Residents have been told not to open doors unless approached by two uniformed officers, amid reports that the suspect may be impersonating law enforcement.
The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated and local officials have been warned to remain on high alert. Governor Walz called the situation “fluid and dangerous”.
Mayor Zach Lindstrom of Mounds View revealed that area elected officials received a safety alert following the incidents. Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a survivor of a 2011 targeted shooting, issued a statement calling the attacks “an assault on American democracy”. Giffords, who now leads a national gun violence prevention group, said, “My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well.”
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,” Johnson added.