Who was the Democratic lawmaker shot to death in Minnesota? All we know so far | World News

Two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were shot in what authorities believe was a politically motivated attack on Saturday, 14 June. State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot and injured in a separate attack around 90 minutes earlier.Police say the suspect was dressed as a police officer and used a fake patrol car. A search is underway. Authorities also recovered a “manifesto” from the suspect’s vehicle that led names of multiple lawmakers and officials.
US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the shooting and called it a “targeted attack against state lawmakers.” He added, “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the killings as a “politically motivated assassination” and urged people to stay away from planned protests out of caution.
What happened?
The first shooting occurred around 2am local time in Champlin, a suburb north of Minneapolis, where Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot. Both underwent surgery and are expected to recover.
About 90 minutes later, police were sent to check on Representative Melissa Hortman’s home in near Brooklyn Park. Officers saw a vehicle with emergency lights outside and a man dressed as a police officer leaving the house. When they approached, the suspect opened fire and then escaped from the back of the house.
Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were found shot and later declared dead. Police say the suspect used a vehicle that resembled an official police SUV and wore a vest, badge, and other equipment similar to that of real officers. Officers warned residents not to open their doors to any lone officer and to call dispatch for confirmation.Story continues below this ad
What was found in the suspect’s car?
Police recovered a set of writings and what they called a “manifesto” from the suspect’s fake patrol car. These documents mentioned several lawmakers, including Hortman and Hoffman. Authorities have taken steps to alert and protect the individuals named.
Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the attacker “exploited the trust of our uniforms,” calling the impersonation of police “deeply durbing.”
Who was Melissa Hortman?
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman addresses the house floor after being re-elected for her third term during the first day of the 2023 legislative session. (AP)
Melissa Hortman was a long-serving Democratic state lawmaker who represented Drict 34B in the northern Twin Cities area. First elected in 2004, she served as Speaker of the Minnesota House from 2019 to 2023 and was the DFL (Democratic–Farmer–Labour) leader at the time of her death.
Hortman, 55, was a trained lawyer and held degrees from Boston University, the University of Minnesota Law School, and Harvard’s Kennedy School. She was known for her work on clean energy, education, and transport.Story continues below this ad
She and her husband Mark had two children. Governor Walz called her “a great leader” and said, “She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.”
Who is Senator John Hoffman?
John Hoffman has been a Democratic state senator since 2012. He represents a drict north of Minneapolis and previously served as vice chair of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board.
He and his wife Yvette, who was also shot, have one daughter. Both are recovering after undergoing surgery.
Investigation and response
The FBI and US Attorney General Pam Bondi are leading the federal investigation. Several people have been questioned, but no arrests had been made at the time of writing.Story continues below this ad
House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, called the killings “evil” and asked Minnesotans to pray for the victims and police.
Gabrielle Giffords, a former US Congresswoman who survived a targeted shooting in 2011, issued a statement saying, “An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself.”
A shelter-in-place order remains in effect in Brooklyn Park as the search for the suspect continues.
(With inputs from agencies)