Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Shooting, Governor Says
A Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were fatally shot, and another lawmaker and his wife were wounded in separate early-morning attacks Saturday that officials described as acts of “targeted political violence.”
The victims were Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin, and state Rep. and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park, according to Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Hoffman, his family, and Representative Hortman and her family," Sabas said in a statement on June 14. "The actions that took place this morning are nothing short of pure evil. The people of Champlin can rest assured that our law enforcement are working closely with other agencies, and a press conference and statement from police will be coming."
Sabas told The Associated Press that the two lawmakers—both Democrats—were shot in their homes early Saturday.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a statement on social media on June 14, describing the incident as "targeted shootings." At a press conference, Walz revealed that both Hortman and her husband had been killed.
"We're here today because an unspeakable tragedy has unfolded," Walz said. "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."
Walz added in the presser that Hoffman and his wife had been shot multiple times and were out of surgery and receiving care. "We are cautiously optimistic that they will survive this assassination attempt," he said, describing the incident as an act of "targeted political violence."
In a follow-up statement, Walz said that he had activated the State Emergency Operations Center.
"Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the state of Minnesota behind them," he wrote, adding: "We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon."