Posted by Democratic state politician Melissa Hortman and her husband have been killed in what appears to be a “”politically motivated assassination,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says
Democratic state lawmaker John Hoffman and his wife were also shot, and Walz says he is “cautiously optimistic” of their recovery
US President Donald Trump says the shootings appear to be a “targeted attack against state lawmakers,” adding such “horrific violence will not be tolerated”
The suspect in the Hortman shooting is believed to have impersonated a police officer and escaped after engaging fire with officers, police say
The shootings took place in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, two neighbouring cities near Minneapolis – a shelter-in-place order has been issued by Brooklyn Park police
BREAKIN Minnesota Senator John Hoffman (D) and State Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) have been shot at their homes. Condition unknown
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Who was Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman?published at 18:0118:01
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota legislator who was murdered earlier today, had been a prominent voice in the state’s Democratic Party.
She had served in the state’s House of Representatives for 20 years and led the chamber as its speaker from 2019 to 2025.
In 2020, she became an advocate for policing reform in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, successfully helping to enact a state ban on police choke holds that caused Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
When Republicans gained seats in the chamber in November 2024 elections, Hortman led a boycott of the legislative session beginning in January.
Republicans held narrow control of the chamber until a special election in March filled a traditionally Democratic seat, resulting in a power-sharing agreement in which Hortman was a key player.
The Minnesota legislature just ended a special session in which it passed a budget resolution.
Hortman joined Republicans as the lone Democratic vote in support of a provision preventing adult undocumented migrants from accessing the state’s low-income health insurance system.
Hortman defended her vote as part of a larger compromise to pass a budget in the narrowly divided chamber.
“I did what leaders do, I stepped up and I got the job done for the people of Minnesota,” she said.
Hortman was killed four days later.
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