Authorities in Minnesota are investigating a deadly and politically motivated attack that claimed the lives of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife wounded.
Investigators say the suspect impersonated a police officer and used a phony squad vehicle to carry out a pair of coordinated shootings targeting elected officials.
The suspect—still unidentified publicly—allegedly posed as a law enforcement officer, arriving in what police describe as a fake police SUV outfitted with emergency lights. According to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, handwritten documents were found in the vehicle, naming multiple lawmakers and officials, including both victims. Authorities believe the documents reveal the suspect’s premeditated intent to harm political figures.
“This was not random. It was targeted political violence,” said Governor Tim Walz, who vowed the state would “stand against all forms of political violence.”
Sequence of Attacks
The first attack occurred early Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park, where police say the suspect entered the home of former House Speaker Hortman and fatally shot both her and her spouse, Mark Hortman. Shortly after, a second attack unfolded in Champlin, where Senator Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times but survived.
Authorities responded swiftly to both scenes. The suspect exchanged gunfire with police at the Hortman residence before fleeing on foot. Investigators later searched the vehicle used in the attacks, which they say closely resembled a legitimate squad car. Inside, they discovered written material listing other potential targets.
“This individual exploited the trust placed in law enforcement uniforms and vehicles,” said Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson. “That betrayal is deeply disturbing.”
Victims and Political Significance
Melissa Hortman, a respected Democratic leader, was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2004 and had served as House Speaker. She and her husband were parents to two children.
Senator John Hoffman, also a Democrat, represents a northern Minneapolis district and has served since 2012. He previously chaired the Anoka-Hennepin School Board.
The attack stunned the Minnesota Legislature and has intensified conversations around political extremism and threats to public officials.
“I am heartbroken beyond words,” said Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, calling the attack “evil” and asking Minnesotans to lift the victims in prayer.
The shootings occurred amid a climate of rising political hostility, as elected officials nationwide face increasing harassment and threats. The GIFFORDS Law Center, led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a 2011 assassination attempt, released a statement condemning the violence.
“An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself,” Giffords said.
Federal Investigation Underway
In a statement issued from the White House, President Donald Trump confirmed that the FBI and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will be involved in the investigation, stating:
“Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
Authorities are currently treating the case as a potential act of domestic terrorism or politically motivated violence, and a statewide shelter-in-place order was briefly issued as law enforcement tracked the suspect.
Autopsies are underway to confirm the cause of death for Hortman and her husband, though both are believed to have died from gunshot wounds. As the investigation develops, law enforcement has not yet confirmed whether additional public officials listed in the writings are under protection.
