Manhunt underway for cop impersonator who shot two Minnesota state lawmakers

A Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband were killed in what authorities are calling a targeted shooting by a man impersonating a law enforcement officer.  

The suspect shot and wounded a second Minnesota state lawmaker and his wife in a separate shooting, wounding the couple.

The Minneapolis area’s Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a shelter-in-place alert, essentially locking down the neighborhood while a manhunt is underway for the suspect.

Police warned residents in the area not to open their doors for a cop as they hunt for the man, who they said is armed and dangerous. 
Rep. Melissa Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark, were killed, Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday. 

Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times in a separate attack by the same suspect and are undergoing surgery. 
Both lawmakers are Democrats. 

Mr. Walz, also a Democrat, described the death of Ms. Hortman, 55, as “what appears to be a politically motivated assassination.”

President Trump, in a statement issued Saturday, said he’s been briefed on the shootings, which he said appeared to be targeted attacks. He said Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating. 

“And they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!” Mr. Trump posted on social media. 

Two people were allegedly involved in the attack, police said, and they apprehended one of the suspects “after an officer-involved shooting” in Brooklyn Park, Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported. 

Mr. Walz announced he’s activated the State Emergency Operation Center to help Brooklyn Park and neighboring Champlin track down the shooter.

“An unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota,” Mr. Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said. 

“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends.”

According to police, the suspect is described as a white man with brown hair wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and pants.

Ms. Hortman recently crossed party lines to help pass a bill to stop illegal immigrant adults from accessing the state’s public health insurance program, MinnesotaCare. 

Mr. Hoffman voted with most of his party aiming to maintain migrants’ access, although the measure against it passed in the Minnesota Senate with the help of other Democrats. 

Mr. Walz said, “We are cautiously optimistic” that Mr. Hoffman and his wife will survive.