A tragic incident unfolded in Minnesota when a US politician, State Representative Melissa Hortman, and her husband were shot dead in their home. Another politician, State Senator John Hoffman, and his wife were also shot but are expected to survive. The suspect, reportedly posing as a police officer, exchanged gunfire with actual police officers and escaped.
According to Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, “Brooklyn Park police officers encountered the individual, who immediately fired at them. They exchanged gunfire and the individual was able to escape during that period of gunfire.” The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair, wearing body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants ¹ ².
“This was an act of targeted political violence,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, condemning the attack. President Trump also weighed in, stating, “I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the shootings as “deeply disturbing,” adding that “violence is never acceptable” and that he is “praying hard” for the victims. Both politicians who were targeted are members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
A large-scale manhunt is underway, with authorities urging residents in the affected areas to stay indoors. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, but officials believe it was a “politically motivated assassination”