Democratic State Lawmaker, Husband Killed In ‘Politically-Motivated Assassination’

Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home overnight in an apparent act of political violence, while Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and severely wounded in their home.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota confirmed that Hortman and her husband did not survive during a Saturday morning press conference in which he described the killings as “politically-motivated assassination.” The governor said that he is “cautiously optimistic” that Hoffman and his wife will survive.

Authorities said Saturday that the suspect is believed to have impersonated a law enforcement officer and exchanged gunfire with police overnight, and that the suspect remains at large. Numerous law enforcement entities are engaged in a major manhunt to locate and apprehend the suspect and told residents to shelter in place.

During a Saturday morning press conference, authorities said police recovered a manifesto with a list of political figures from a vehicle at Hortman’s home that included Hortman and Hoffman. Police officials  at the conference told residents not to respond to police at their door unless it is two officers together and to call 911 to verify the officers’ identities.

Police confirmed that a vehicle with police lights was parked at Hortman’s house when officers arrived to check on Hortman after the shooting.

“My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically-motivated assassination,” Walz said during the press conference. “Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends. Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor and a sense of service. She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable, and will be missed by so many. Minnesota’s thoughts and prayers are with her family, her loved ones, her children and her parents.”

Officials at the press conference told reporters that police were seeking “people of interest.”

This is a breaking story and will be updated with additional information.

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