2 Democratic lawmakers shot at in Minnesota homes, Governor says closely monitoring situation
Two lawmakers from Minnesota were shot at in their separate homes, according to local authorities, The Guardian said.
The two politicians have been identified as state senator John Hoffman and state representative Melissa Hortman, both members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, the state's Democratic affiliate. The incidents took place in the Minneapolis suburbs of Champlin and Brooklyn Park in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to local news reports.
There is currently no confirmed information about the person responsible.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a statement saying he had been briefed about the 'ongoing situation'. He added that he was closely monitoring developments and a press conference was expected later in the day.
'We're aware of the incidents in Champlin and Brooklyn Park and will provide further details as soon as possible,' the Governor's office said in a statement.
The motives behind the attacks are not yet clear, and there has been no official indication as to whether the shootings were politically motivated.
These events come as concerns around political violence in the United States continue to grow. According to a University of Chicago survey cited by The Guardian, while instances of political violence have increased in recent years, most Americans do not support such actions.
Authorities have not yet released information about the lawmakers' condition or whether the shootings are believed to be linked. Local police are continuing their investigations in both neighbourhoods.
The upcoming press briefing is expected to provide further details about the timeline of events, possible links between the attacks, and the security response.
This is a developing story and more details are awaited
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