Minnesota lawmaker killed, another shot with suspect at large
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A Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were fatally shot by a gunman impersonating a police officer in what Governor Tim Walz called a targeted political assassination.
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Melissa Hortman, representing Minnesota's District 34B, signing a bill on May 9, 2023. (X/ @melissahortman)
A gunman disguised as a police officer fatally shot a senior Democratic Minnesota lawmaker and her husband on Saturday in what Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described as an apparent "politically motivated assassination," while also injuring a second lawmaker and his spouse.
Law enforcement officials announced at a news conference that a large-scale search was in progress for the suspect, who had fled on foot after shooting at police and left behind a vehicle containing what they described as a "manifesto" naming additional legislators and officials.
US President Donald Trump stated that he had received a briefing on the "terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers," without providing further details on the incident.
"Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Trump said in a statement.
Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement officials informed reporters that the victims included Democratic state assemblywoman Melissa Hortman, a former assembly speaker, along with her husband, Mark.
Walz stated that the victims had undergone surgery and expressed he was "cautiously optimistic" they would survive "this assassination attempt," though this assessment came before authorities later confirmed their deaths.
"This was an act of targeted political violence," Walz said, adding that "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint."
