Democratic Lawmaker And Her Husband Killed In What Tim Walz Called A 'Politically Motivated Assassination'

Governor Tim Walz has spoken out after his colleague, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday, June 14.

According to multiple sources, the Democratic politician and her husband were targeted by a suspect who was impersonating law enforcement.

Walz also addressed the shooting of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, which occurred approximately 90 minutes before the Hortmans were murdered in another Minnesota suburb, condemning the attacks as an "act of targeted political violence."

During a press conference, Governor Walz confirmed that one of his colleagues, Rep. Hortman, and her husband were murdered in a brutal attack inside their home in Brooklyn Park.

"We’re here today because an unspeakable tragedy has unfolded today in Minnesota,” Walz, 61, began. “My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark, were shot and killed earlier this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination.”

According to NBC News, authorities said the suspect gained access to the Hortmans' home by impersonating a law enforcement officer and wearing a badge, and that the assailant remains on the run.

Walz also shared an update about Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot and wounded almost two hours before the Hortmans, in Champlin.

“We are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt,” the governor said, adding that “this was an act of targeted political violence.”

"Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint," he continued.

The attack on Sen. Hoffman and his wife occurred first, at around 2 a.m. local time, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Another call came in at 3:35 a.m. at the Hortmans' home, where Brooklyn Park police officers encountered an individual who "immediately fired at them."

According to NBC, police exchanged gunfire with the suspect who fled out of the back of the Hortmans' house before escaping.

Another report from PEOPLE describes the suspect as a white male with brown hair, wearing a blue shirt, blue pants, and black body armor.

The suspect has not yet been captured, but federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are all "actively engaged in a manhunt" for the individual, said Evans.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley spoke with the AP after the shooting and revealed that his officers found writings mentioning the names of several lawmakers in a fake police car believed to have been used during the shootings.

“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” Bruley said.

He explained that the suspect operated a vehicle that "looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights, and looked exactly like a police vehicle."

Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson also shared his thoughts about the suspect pretending to be a police officer.

“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” he said.

After condemning the shootings and urging everyone "across the country" to "stand against all forms of political violence," Walz honored Speaker Hortman, calling her a "formidable public servant."

"She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many," he said. "Minnesota’s thoughts and prayers are with her family, her loved ones, her children and her parents," he added.

“We're committed to keeping Minnesotans informed as the situation continues. I assure you that those responsible for this will be held accountable, and each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself in Minnesota or across this country," the governor finished.