2 Minnesota Lawmakers Shot in ‘Targeted’ Incidents, Suspect at Large

Two Democratic Minnesota state lawmakers were shot in what law enforcement say were “targeted” attacks early Saturday — with one being killed in the politically charged attack.

State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced during a press conference.

Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times at their Champlin residence, but survived. They were rushed into emergency surgery, and are now recovering.

Walz condemned the shooting as “targeted political violence.”

Police had contact with the suspect at the Hortman’s home — exchanging gunfire before his escape on foot.

The gunman was impersonating a police officer, arriving at the Hortman residence in an SUV that resembled a squad car, and wearing a vest equipped with a taser and a convincing badge.

Police have detained and questioned several individuals, but no one is in custody and the investigation is ongoing. Thousands of people in the Brooklyn Park area have been asked to shelter in place.

Walz activated the State Emergency Operations Center before his press briefing.

A reported alert sent by police say the suspect is armed and dangerous … adding “Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement.”