Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated assassination. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also wounded in the same attack.
“All of us, in Minnesota and across the country, must stand up against all forms of political violence,” Governor Walz said at a news conference Saturday. “Those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Senator John Hoffman, a Democrat who was first elected in 2012, runs the consulting firm Hoffman Strategic Advisors and was previously vice chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, Minnesota’s largest school district. He is married and has one daughter.
Melissa Hortman, the former Democratic leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives and a former speaker of that body, was first elected in 2004. She and Senator Hoffman represented districts north of Minneapolis.
Drew Evans, director of the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said authorities were searching for the suspect. Officials say the shooter was dressed as a police officer.
“The suspect took advantage of the trust people have in our uniforms and what they represent. This betrayal deeply hurts all of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” said Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson.
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Autopsies will determine the exact causes of death, but it has been confirmed that Hortman and her husband died from gunshot wounds.
The shooting comes at a time when political leaders across the United States are increasingly being targeted by attacks, threats and intimidation, amid a deepening political divide.
The GIFFORDS organization, led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords — who was shot in 2011 — issued a statement on the incident.
“I am appalled and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants,” Giffords said. “My family and I know all too well the horror of a targeted gun attack. An attack on lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must stand up and condemn the incitement to violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.” Gabrielle Giffords was critically wounded when a gunman killed six people and wounded 12 others in 2011. She retired from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery, Klix.ba writes.
