U.S. officials have confirmed that Democratic politician Melissa Hortman has been killed, and her husband, Mark Hortman, was also shot to death in a shooting incident today in Minnesota.
Local American media earlier reported that Senator John Hoffman and Representative Melissa Hortman, both Democrats from Minnesota, were injured along with their spouses in shootings today in the cities of Champlin and Brooklyn Park.
Details of the “Politically Motivated Murder”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed this morning in what he described as a “politically motivated murder,” KosovaPress reports. Police state that the attacker likely posed as a police officer and fled after opening fire on officers.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated he was informed of the “horrific shooting” in Minnesota and that everything points to a “targeted attack on state lawmakers.” Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating the situation and will prosecute all involved to the fullest extent of the law, he added on X.
Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety, Bob Jacobson, said “this is a dark day,” but that authorities “will not allow fear or violence to define who we are and how we move forward.”
Drew Evans of the Minnesota State Police said officers received a call at 2:00 AM local time regarding the incident. A second call came at 3:35 AM while officers were proactively checking the home of Democratic politician Melissa Hortman. According to Evans, police believe the gunman disguised himself as a police officer and fled after exchanging fire with responding police.
Melissa Hortman was a prominent Democratic congresswoman from Brooklyn Park, and according to earlier reports, she and her husband were killed by a gunman disguised as a police officer. The investigation is ongoing.
