A Minnesota state representative and her husband were shot and killed, and a state senator and his wife were shot and wounded in an “act of targeted political violence” at their homes early Saturday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said.
A manhunt is now underway for the gunman who was impersonating a police officer, authorities said. The gunman attacked by knocking on the doors and asking the victims to come out, police said.
PHOTO: Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman are shown in these undated file photos. (Minnesota House of Representatives | Minnesota Senate )
State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband were shot and killed in a what appears to be a “politically-motivated assassination,” Walz said at a news conference.
“She was a formidable public servant,” the governor said of his friend. “She is irreplaceable.”
State Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife were both shot multiple times and underwent surgery, the governor said.
“We’re cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt,” Walz said.
PHOTO: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks at a press conference about the shooting of two state lawmakers, on June 14, 2025. (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
The two shooting locations are a few miles away from each other in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, just north of Minneapolis.
Hoffman and his wife were shot around 2 a.m. in Champlin, Superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Drew Evans said.
After Hoffman was shot, officers were heading to pro-actively check on Hortman when they encountered the suspect by Hortman’s home, Evans said.
PHOTO: Law enforcement officers including local police, sheriffs and the FBI, stage less than a mile from a shooting in Brooklyn Park, Minn., on June 14, 2025. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)
The officers found a person who was dressed as a police officer — wearing a vest and a badge, and with a Taser — at the door, coming out of Hortman’s house, police said.
The suspect fired at the officers; gunfire was exchanged and the suspect was able to escape and flee on foot, authorities said.
The suspect’s vehicle — which looked like a police vehicle — was in Hortman’s driveway, authorities said.
PHOTO: Two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot in apparent ‘targeted’ incidents, officials said. (KSTP)
A list of other possible targets was retrieved from the suspect’s vehicle, authorities said. Police said the list had “many lawmakers,” including the victims.
Security resources have been dispatched to protect those people named on the list, authorities said.
PHOTO: Two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot in apparent ‘targeted’ incidents, officials said. (KSTP)
The gunman did say something to the victims, police said, but authorities did not reveal what that was.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the agency is “fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.”
Hortman was the former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, formerly the Minnesota Democratic party chair, said he’s friends with both Hoffman and Hortman.
Martin wrote on social media that he’s “completely heartbroken” and “praying hard for both families.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Minnesota lawmaker assassinated, another in grave condition in ‘targeted political violence’ originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
