Minnesota politician shot and killed, another injured in ‘politically motivated assassination’

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One Minnesota lawmaker and her spouse were fatally shot and a second lawmaker and his spouse were injured in separate “politically motivated” shootings at their homes in eastern Minnesota, officials said Saturday.

The suspect, who authorities say had been impersonating law enforcement and wore a badge to gain access to the legislators’ homes, remained at large and is believed to be on foot as a large-scale search was ongoing.

Gov. Tim Walz said at a news conference that the early morning attack “appears to be a politically motivated assassination.” He identified the slain lawmaker as State Rep. Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park and her husband, Mark, while state Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife, Yvette, were severely injured.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman addresses the House floor after being re-elected for her third term on Jan. 3, 2023, in St. Paul. — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman in 2023.Abbie Parr / AP

The Hoffmans remained hospitalized, and their conditions were not immediately available. Both lawmakers were members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party and their respective homes are located about 8 miles apart in suburbs north of Minneapolis.

“This was an act of targeted political violence,” Walz said. “Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint.

Authorities said police responded to Hoffman’s home in Champlin at about 2 a.m. on a report of a shooting. Another call came in at 3:35 a.m. at Hortman’s home, where Brooklyn Park police officers encountered an individual who “immediately fired at them,” and exchanged gunfire before the suspect fled, said Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Minnesota-Lawmakers Shot — Law enforcement officers gather in response to shooting in Brooklyn Park, Minn. on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Alex Kormann / Star Tribune via AP)

Officials said they located the suspect’s vehicle, which had lights and sirens as if it were a police squad car, and found a “manifesto” inside with the names of other lawmakers and officials.

“We have people of interest that we are looking for,” authorities said.

President Donald Trump said Saturday morning that he was briefed on the shooting and that Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.

“They will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law,” Trump said in a statement. “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”

In a social media post, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., called the shootings “a stunning act of violence.”

“I’m thankful for all the law enforcement who are responding in real time,” she wrote on X. “My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families. Both legislators are close friends and devoted to their families and public service.”

Earlier Saturday, Walz said on X that he was briefed about the “targeted shootings,” and said the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement were on the scene.

The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a shelter-in-place alert for an area surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course Saturday morning in its quest for a suspect, NBC affiliate KARE 11 reported.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.