Minnesota lawmakers and spouses shot in 'political violence,' 2 dead
Two Democratic lawmakers in the US state of Minnesota and their spouses were shot at their homes on Saturday, with one couple dying of their injuries. The state's governor called it "an act of targeted political violence."
Speaking to reporters, police said that they received a call around 2 a.m. reporting that State Senator John Hoffman and his wife had been shot at their home in the city of Champlin. Commenting on their condition, police said Hoffman and his wife are "obviously in a difficult situation."
Police also said that after learning that the Hoffmans had been shot, officers decided to go check on State Representative Melissa Hortman's home in the city of Brooklyn Park. There they encountered a suspect who they believe was impersonating a police officer.
Police say they have identified the suspect as a 57-year old man and are now searching for him. They say he exchanged gunfire with officers and fled the scene.
Authorities announced that State Representative Hortman and her husband had died.
ABC News quoted several sources as saying that the shooter's list of potential targets included the names of abortion providers and pro-choice activists. It also quoted two sources as saying that many of the Democratic lawmakers on the list have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz condemned the incident, saying it appears to be a politically motivated assassination. He said, "We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence."
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Two Democratic lawmakers in the US state of Minnesota and their spouses were shot at their homes on Saturday, with one couple dying of their injuries. The state's governor called it "an act of targeted political violence." Speaking to reporters, police said that they received a call around 2 a.m. reporting that State Senator John Hoffman and his wife had been shot at their home in the city of Champlin. Commenting on their condition, police said Hoffman and his wife are "obviously in a difficult situation." Police also said that after learning that the Hoffmans had been shot, officers decided to go check on State Representative Melissa Hortman's home in the city of Brooklyn Park. There they encountered a suspect who they believe was impersonating a police officer. Police say they have identified the suspect as a 57-year old man and are now searching for him. They say he exchanged gunfire with officers and fled the scene. Authorities announced that State Representative Hortman and her husband had died. ABC News quoted several sources as saying that the shooter's list of potential targets included the names of abortion providers and pro-choice activists. It also quoted two sources as saying that many of the Democratic lawmakers on the list have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions. Democratic Governor Tim Walz condemned the incident, saying it appears to be a politically motivated assassination. He said, "We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence."
