In a startling development from the deep blue state of Minnesota, two state legislators were assaulted by an individual who, reportedly, was masquerading as a police officer at the time of the shooting. Both legislators who were shot are Democrats, and they were allegedly attacked in their residences alongside their spouses.
According to the information that has surfaced regarding the incident, the two legislators targeted by the gunman impersonating an officer are Minnesota state senator John Hoffman, who was shot in his home in Champlin, and Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman, who was shot in her residence in Brooklyn Park. It has been confirmed that Rep. Hortman and her husband have died, while the status of Sen. Hoffman remains uncertain.
Governor Tim Walz promptly took to X to convey the news, stating in an early morning post on Saturday, June 14, “I have been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are currently on the scene. We will provide further information shortly.”
He followed up with a second post regarding the state’s response to the tragic events, stating, “I have activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the complete support of the State of Minnesota. We are closely monitoring the situation and will share additional information soon.”]} }}
One possible motive for one of the murders is that State Representative Hortman had cast her vote to repeal a Minnesota law aimed at eliminating MinnesotaCare for adult undocumented immigrants. She was among five Democrats who supported this action, yet the bill ultimately passed with a vote of 68–65 in the House and 37–30 in the Senate. Conversely, State Senator Hoffman did not support the bill.
In any event, ABC 5 KSTP, which reported on the situation, described the suspect as stated by the police, noting, “The suspect, as per the alert, is a white male with brown hair, dressed in black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants. Authorities are advising residents not to approach the suspect if he is seen.”
The report from the Brooklyn Park Police regarding this aspect of the case allegedly stated, “Police are searching for a suspect involved in several targeted shootings who is armed and poses a danger. The suspect is a white male with brown hair, wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants, and may falsely present himself as a law enforcement officer.”
Adding to KSTP’s coverage, Chief Political Reporter Tom Hauer shared on X about the shootings, stating, “BREAKING: Multiple sources inform 5 Eyewitness News that at least two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot at their residences last night by a gunman posing as a police officer. DFL Speaker Emerita Melissa Hoffman in Brooklyn Park and DFL Senator John Hoffman in Champlin. More details are forthcoming.”
Additionally, Collin Rugg from Trending Politics commented on the situation, posting on X about the shootings and highlighting that authorities are advising residents to remain indoors as the search for the suspect continues, writing, “A shelter-in-place alert was issued at 5:30 am for a three-mile radius surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.”
