Democratic State Lawmaker, Husband Killed In ‘Politically-Motivated Assassination’

Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home overnight in an apparent act of political violence, and Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and severely wounded in their home.

Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz confirmed that Hortman and her husband did not survive during a Saturday morning press conference in which he described Hortman’s killing as a “politically-motivated assassination.” The governor said that he is “cautiously optimistic” that Hoffman and his wife will survive.

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Authorities said Saturday that the suspect is believed to have impersonated a law enforcement officer and exchanged gunfire with police overnight, and that the suspect remains at large. Numerous law enforcement entities are engaged in a major manhunt to locate and apprehend the suspect, and local residents have been instructed to shelter in place.

During a Saturday morning press conference, authorities said police recovered a manifesto with a list of political figures from a vehicle at Hortman’s home that included Hortman and Hoffman. Police officials at the conference told residents not to respond to police at their door unless they see two officers together and to call 911 to verify the officers’ identities.

Police confirmed that a vehicle with police lights was parked at Hortman’s house when officers arrived at the scene.