Two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses were shot in their homes early Saturday by a madman who apparently posed as a police officer — and is still on the loose, according to reports.
Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman was shot in her Brooklyn Park home, while fellow party member Sen. John Hoffman was targeted roughly 8 miles away in Champlin, sources told 5 Eyewitness News.
A manhunt is on for the suspect, who was wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants.
The violence unfolded around 2 a.m. in John Hoffman’s home, BNO News reported.
He and an unidentified woman suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The suspect then moved on to Melissa Hortman’s home, according to the outlet.
The extent of the injuries was not immediately known.
Cops have yet to confirm the names of the victims, but Zach Lindstrom, Mayor of nearby Mounds View, identified Hoffman and Hortman as the targets.
“I’m just learning of the events that took place last night due to getting a safety alert for elected officials. I never thought we’d be here. My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families,” Linstrom wrote on X.
“I hope everyone comes out of this ok. I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok. Any type of violence against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok,” he continued. My understanding is that it’s someone cosplaying as a officer and they haven’t been caught.”
Cops ordered a shelter-in-place for the three-mile radius surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course near Melissa Hortman’s home.
“Police are looking for a suspect in multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous,” Brooklyn Park Police said in an emergency alert sent to residents at 5:30 a.m.
“Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants, and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement.”
A second emergency alert was sent at 7 a.m., warning that the suspect was dressed like a police officer: “Do not approach and do not answer the door unless two officers approach together. Call 911 to verify officer identity first.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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