Minnesota state lawmakers shot, one killed, search underway for suspect: Governor
Law enforcement officers, including local police, sheriffs and the FBI, are seen near the site of the shooting in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on Jun 14, 2025. (Photo: AP/Star Tribune/Alex Kormann)
WASHINGTON: A Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were killed early Saturday (Jun 14) in what appeared to be a "politically motivated assassination", while a second lawmaker and his spouse were wounded in a separate attack, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said.
"An unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota - my good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination," he told reporters.
"Our state lost a great leader," he said.
Walz said that in a second attack, Senator John Hoffman and his wife, of Champlin, were shot multiple times, underwent surgery and that he was "cautiously optimistic" that they would survive "this assassination attempt".
The suspect escaped after exchanging gunfire with the police.
A manifesto identifying many lawmakers and officials was also found inside the suspect's vehicle, said the police chief for Brooklyn Park.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Hortman and her husband.
"With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.
GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organisation led by former US representative Gabrielle Giffords, condemned the shooting.
“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well," Giffords said. "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.
