Two Minnesota lawmakers were shot in their homes in a targeted attack, officials say
Gov. Tim Walz said the shooting was targeted.
Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota.
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Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Hortman is the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker.
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She was first elected in 2004. Hortman, a lawyer, is married and has two children.
Brooklyn Park Police Lieutenant Hjelm set up a perimeter with police tape near the scene of a shooting in Brooklyn Park, Minn. on Saturday.
Alex Kormann/Associated Press
Both Hoffman and Hortman represent districts located north of Minneapolis.
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.
GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.
'I am horrified and heartbroken by last night's attack on two patriotic public servants,' Giffords said. 'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.'
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Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
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