A deeply disturbing tragedy unfolded in Minnesota early on Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of prominent state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. The couple was killed in an overnight shooting at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Another Minnesota lawmaker, State Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were also shot, but survived the attack.
Details of the Attack
The shooting took place in the early hours of Saturday. Authorities have described the event as a case of targeted political violence. Both Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman are members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, with Hortman having served as the state House speaker from 2019 until January of this year.
Governor Tim Walz, speaking during a Saturday news briefing, condemned the act of violence, calling it “targeted political violence.” Authorities revealed that the person responsible for killing the Hortmans, and likely wounding the Hoffmans, was impersonating a police officer in order to gain access to their homes.
Timeline of Events
The police first responded around 2 a.m. on Saturday to a shooting at the Hoffman’s residence in Champlin. They were assisted by Brooklyn Park police. As officers investigated, they discovered a police vehicle in the Hortman’s driveway, with emergency lights flashing and a person dressed in police gear at the door.
When confronted, the individual, who appeared to be impersonating an officer, immediately opened fire on the responding officers. The officers returned fire, but the suspect managed to retreat into the home.
The suspect likely escaped through the back door, sparking a manhunt across the area. Thousands of residents were instructed to shelter in place as hundreds of law enforcement officers, including SWAT teams, searched for the suspect.
Discovery of the Victims
When officers entered the Hortman home, they found Mark Hortman, who had been shot. He was dragged out of the home and given first aid but was pronounced dead shortly after. A drone was used to further search the house, and authorities later confirmed that they found the body of Melissa Hortman.
Meanwhile, the Hoffmans were each shot multiple times but survived the attack. They were rushed to the hospital for surgery, and Governor Walz expressed cautious optimism about their recovery.
A Disturbing Discovery: A List of Targets
Upon searching the suspect’s vehicle, law enforcement discovered a list of individuals, including the names of the lawmakers who had been shot. This has led authorities to believe that the shooter may have had further plans, targeting multiple people in a broader scheme of violence.
Public officials and law enforcement quickly condemned the shooter’s actions. Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety, Bob Jacobson, described the act as a betrayal, saying, “The suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms — that our uniforms are meant to represent.”
Governor Walz’s Commitment to Justice
Governor Tim Walz addressed the public, assuring Minnesotans that those responsible for the crime would be held accountable. “Each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself in Minnesota or across this country,” Walz said.
Safety and Precautions Moving Forward
Authorities also warned residents about the possibility of law enforcement impersonation, advising anyone who is approached by someone claiming to be a police officer to call 911 to confirm. Additionally, all officers in Brooklyn Park and neighboring agencies have been instructed to approach residents in pairs for added security.
A Tragic and Disturbing Attack
This violent act against public officials in Minnesota is deeply disturbing and has left the state shaken. The targeted shooting of lawmakers and the use of a police impersonation scheme have raised serious concerns about safety and trust in law enforcement.
While authorities continue to search for the suspect, the state remains committed to ensuring justice and preventing such acts of violence in the future.
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