US Lawmaker, Husband Shot Dead In ‘Targeted Attack’

Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot dead in a targeted attack in Minnesota.
Another lawmaker, John Hoffman, and his wife were injured but survived.
Police are hunting a suspect who posed as an officer; Trump called it an attack on democracy.

A United States lawmaker, Melissa Hortman has been killed by a shooter in Minnesota.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that Minnesota governor, Tim Walz, while confirming the incident, said Hortman, a democratic politician, and her husband were killed by the shooter at their home.

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In another incident in the state, Walz said John Hoffman, also a democratic lawmaker, and his wife were also shot.

Although the governor said Hoffman and his wife were each “shot multiple times”, they are out of surgery. Walz said he is cautiously optimistic that they will survive “this assassination attempt”.

He added that the incident was an “act of targeted political violence”.

The governor noted that State and Federal agencies are collaborating on a full investigation, and he assured those responsible would be held accountable.

Meanwhile, the State Police Chief, Mark Bruley, said at a press briefing that after responding to the shooting at John Hoffman’s home, police checked on Melissa Hortman.

Bruley said when they arrived, they found what appeared to be a police vehicle that looked “exactly like” an SUV patrol car with blue lights and an officer coming out of the house.

The State Police Chief said when confronted, the individual wearing a vest, taser and badge similar to his, immediately fired on the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated into the home.

He stated that the individual was impersonating an officer and not a member of the police force.

Bruley said, “No doubt if they were in this room, you would assume they were a police officer.”

He added that there is an “extensive manhunt” involving “hundreds and hundreds of officers and SWAT teams.”

“We have thousands of people sheltered in place in the city of Brooklyn Park right now.”

Though Bruley said several people have been detained and questioned, he noted that no one is currently in custody.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, in a statement shared on X by White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said he has been briefed on the “terrible shooting” in Minnesota, and it appears to be a “targeted attack against state lawmakers.”

The statement read, “Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI are investigating the situation, 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; it is a truly great place!”