Minnesota lawmaker, spouse, shot dead in ‘politically motivated assassination’: Gov. Walz
A tragic incident occurred overnight in Minnesota, where a state lawmaker and her husband were shot and killed in what Governor Tim Walz described as a “politically motivated assassination.” Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Speaker Emerita Melissa Hoffman and her spouse were shot in Brooklyn Park by a suspect impersonating a police officer. In a related shooting, DFL Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot in Champlin but are expected to survive after undergoing surgery.
The suspect, who was wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and pants, exchanged gunfire with responding police before fleeing the scene. Authorities have issued an alert urging the public not to approach the suspect and to contact 911 with any information. A shelter-in-place order has been issued within a 3-mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course.
Governor Walz expressed his condolences for the loss of Speaker Hartman, describing her as a great leader who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and humor. He expressed cautious optimism about the recovery of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Walz condemned the act of violence as a targeted political attack, emphasizing the importance of peaceful discourse in a democratic society.
In response to the incident, Walz activated the State Emergency Operations Center, with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement on the scene. He assured that the full resources of the state were behind the authorities in Champlin and Brooklyn Park as they investigate the shootings.
This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Michael Dorgan, a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, contributed to this report. For tips or further updates, you can reach out to Michael at michael.dorgan@fox.com or follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
