Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed Saturday in a politically motivated assassination, and a second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said at a news conference. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
The search for the person responsible for the shootings is underway.
The wounded lawmaker was identified as state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, who was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice-chair of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter.
Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House Speaker. She was first elected in 2004.
Both Hoffman and Hortman represented districts located north of Minneapolis.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said authorities were actively searching for a suspect. Officials said the suspect was dressed as a law enforcement officer.
Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said.
Suspect posing as law enforcement official
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.
“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility,” he said.
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated as there are deep political divisions.
Giffords, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congress member Gabrielle Giffords, said in a statement: “I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants.
“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”
Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.