2 Minnesota lawmakers and spouse shot in their home, former state speaker and husband die: Governor
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said former state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated assassination Saturday, with the second legislator and his wife being shot and injured.
“We have to fight all forms of political violence in Minnesota and across the country,” Waltz said in a press conference. “The people who are in charge will be responsible.”
A search for the people responsible for the shooting is underway.
The injured congressman was identified as Democratic state Senator John Hoffman, who was first elected in 2012. He runs a strategic consultant for Hoffmann. He previously served as vice chairman of the Anoka-Hennepin school board, which manages Minnesota's largest school district. Hoffman is married and has a daughter.
Hortman is the top Democratic leader of the state legislature and former House Speaker. She was first elected in 2004.
Hoffman and Hortman represent areas north of Minneapolis.
Criminal Arrests Director Drew Evans said authorities are actively looking for suspects. Officials said the suspect was wearing law enforcement officers.
Evans said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the extent of the injury, but Hotman and her spouse died of gunshot wounds.
Suspected as a law enforcement official
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect is working as a law enforcement officer.
“The suspects took advantage of the trust of our uniforms, the intention of our uniforms. Betrayal is deeply disturbed by those of us who wear badges with honor and responsibility,” he said.
The shooting happened when political leaders across the country were attacked, harassed and intimidated.
“I was shocked and heartbroken last night's attack on two patriotic civil servants,” Giffords, a national gun violence group led by former Congressman Gabrielle Giffords, said in a statement.
“My family and I are well aware of the horror of target shooting. The attack on legislators is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the violent extremism that threatens everything this country represents.”
Giffords was killed by a gunman in 2011, killing six people and injured 12 others. She resigned from Congress in January 2012 and focused on recovery.
