Democrat politician and her husband killed in ‘politically motivated assassination'
A Democratic politician and her husband have been shot and killed during a series of 'politically motivated assassination' attempts in Minnesota.
Melissa Hortman, the Democratic speaker in Minnesota's House of Representatives, along with her husband, was shot by a gunman in their home in the early hours of Saturday.
John Hoffman, a Democratic state senator, and his spouse were also shot multiple times. Both have received surgery and are expected to survive, officials say.
Police have issued a shelter order around the Brooklyn Park area of Minnesota as they hunt for a gunman who may be impersonating a police officer.
Officers arriving at Ms Hortman's home arrived to find an SUV police equipped with emergency lights.
The suspect was wearing a vest, and armed with a taser and other equipment while pretending to be a police officer, said Mark Bruley, the Brooklyn Park police chief.
Officers decided to check Ms Hortman's home as a precaution after Mr Hoffman was shot.
'[The] Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent', said Bob Johnson, a public safety Commissioner. 'That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility.'
After an exchange of gunfire, the suspect fled on foot out of the back of the house. A manhunt is under way to find the gunman.
'It was not a real police officer. This is somebody that clearly had been impersonating a police officer. Again, using the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home,' Mr Ruth said.
A search of the car found a manifesto which included other political targets, he added.
An alert warning residents that officers were looking for a suspected gunman was sent at 5.30am by Brooklyn Park Police.
'Police are looking for a suspect in multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous,' the message read.
'Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armour over a blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement.'
According to Fox 9, one suspect was already in custody. The gunman or men reportedly fled the scene in a car that 'looked like a police car,' a source told the station.
The shelter-in-place order is currently being enforced in the three mile radius of Minnesota's Edinburgh Golf Course.
Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor, said the killings appeared to be a 'politically motivated assassination.'
'My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination,' Mr Walz said.
'Our state lost a great leader, and I lost a dearest of friends.
'She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.
'She is irreplaceable, and we've been missed by so many.'
Mr Walz said he had activated a state-emergency-operations centre to deal with the incident.
'I've been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park,' Mr Waltz wrote on X.
'The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene.
'We will share more information soon.'
Mr 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. Mr Hoffman is married and has one daughter.
Ms Hortman is the top House Democratic leader in the state legislature and a former House speaker.
She was first elected in 2004. Ms Hortman, a lawyer, is married and has two children.
Both represent districts located north of Minneapolis.
Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, said the bureau is 'fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners'.
Pam Bondi, the attorney general, said: 'I am closely monitoring developments in Minnesota after what appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers.
'The FBI is on the ground investigating this case alongside state and local partners. This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'
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