DEVELOPING: Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman killed in ‘politically motivated assassination,’ senator shot

UPDATE 11:30 a.m. — Gov. Tim Walz confirmed during a press conference Saturday morning that DFL Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed in “what appears to be a politically motivated assassination.”

“Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends,” he said. “She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.”

The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.

— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) June 14, 2025

Walz said Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were each shot multiple times. They both underwent surgery and authorities are “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said police received a call around 2 a.m. that an individual had shot Sen. Hoffman and his wife in Champlin.

President Donald Trump issues a statement on the shooting of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman. Hortman and her husband were killed. Hoffman and his wife are alive at this time. pic.twitter.com/1spEmy9zwY

— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) June 14, 2025

At approximately 3:35 a.m., another call came in after officers proactively checked on Hortman’s home in Brooklyn Park—which is near Hoffman’s home, police said.

When they arrived at Hortman’s home, Brooklyn Park police encountered an individual who immediately fired at police.

I am closely monitoring developments in Minnesota after what appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers. The FBI is on the ground investigating this case alongside state and local partners.

This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) June 14, 2025

At the time of the press conference, a manhunt was underway for the suspect, who was posing as a law enforcement officer.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said there is increased security in place for elected officials.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said a “very intuitive sergeant” thought to proactively check on Hortman’s home upon learning of the Hoffman shooting. Police noticed a “police vehicle in the driveway with the emergency lights on and what appeared to be a police officer.”

Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution. pic.twitter.com/7hFccnrQUT

— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) June 14, 2025

Police confronted him, there was an exchange of gunfire and the suspect retreated back into the home, according to Bruley.

“It was not a real police officer. This is somebody that clearly had been impersonating a police officer,” he said.

The suspect drove a vehicle that looked exactly like an SUV squad car that was equipped with emergency lights.

“No question if they were in this room you would assume that they are a police officer,” he said.

Police believe the suspect fled out the back of Hortman’s house after being confronted by police.

Nobody was in custody at the time of the press conference. Bruley said police found a “manifesto” in the suspect vehicle that identified many lawmakers and other officials.

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9:30 a.m. — Two state lawmakers were shot along with one of the spouses of the lawmakers in “targeted” attacks early Saturday morning, sources tell Alpha News.

Two of those shot are Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park. Both were shot at their homes and police responding to the incidents believe the shooter was posing as a law enforcement officer, according to sources.

DEVELOPING: Multiple sources confirm with Alpha News that DFL Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman were shot at their homes overnight by a person impersonating law enforcement. We’re working on getting more details. pic.twitter.com/XadVwKm9Md

— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) June 14, 2025

Police placed a shelter-in-place alert to areas near the reported shootings, indicating the alert is for a 3-mile radius surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park.

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Brooklyn Park police issued a shelter in place notice in the surrounding area of that shooting. pic.twitter.com/z0KK4Wd25e

— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) June 14, 2025

A number of elected officials have released statements following the reports.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is planning to hold a 9:30 a.m. press conference to provide the public with details as they emerge.

Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement that he has been briefed “on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.”

I’ve been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 14, 2025

“The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon,” Walz added.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth issued a statement on Saturday morning on the shooting.

“I am shocked and horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight,” Demuth said. “Please lift up in prayer the victims, as well as the law enforcement personnel working to apprehend the perpetrator.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

 

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