Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot in what authorities believe was a politically motivated assassination.
Governor Tim Walz confirmed the tragic deaths, describing Hortman as a close friend and a respected leader who served the state with distinction since her first election in 2004.
The incident, which occurred early in the morning, was followed by another targeted attack that left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife seriously injured. Both underwent surgery, and officials are cautiously optimistic about their recovery.
Governor Walz, who previously ran for vice president, condemned the violence as an assault on democracy, urging that political disagreements must never be resolved through force.
Law enforcement reported that the suspect impersonated a police officer and exchanged fire with authorities before fleeing. A large-scale manhunt is now underway to locate the perpetrator.
Hortman was a prominent Democratic figure and former House Speaker in Minnesota’s legislature. Hoffman, first elected in 2012, is also a Democrat and runs a strategic consultancy
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