Nomia Iqbal
North America correspondent

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I've just spoken to Melissa Hortman's political mentor Mindy Greiling, who says she is "absolutely devastated" by the loss of her friend this morning.

According to Greiling, who is herself a former Minnesota state representative, Hortman had a "strong personality. She knew what she was doing, she was a strong legislator even when she was a freshman."

"I've watched her grow and rise, so this is just terrible news," Greiling tells me as her voice breaks.

Greiling says the attack on Hortman and state Senator John Hoffman feels like just the next chapter in the US's increasingly divided politics.

"This is such a polarised situation that I have to think this is an attack... on Democrats," she says.

"That breaks my heart too, I'm a Democrat."

Governor Tim Walz has alleged that the shootings were targeted political attacks, though police have not commented on any potential motive.

Crossing the political aisle seemed easier when she was an elected official more than a decade ago, Greiling tells me, adding that easy access to guns in the United States means political disagreements can quickly turn violent.

"I think that is just the breakdown of all the other breakdowns that we have going on politically in our country, where we have to now face this and say 'We have a problem here' and 'What can we do?'"

Greiling says she believes her home state can become an example for the rest of the country on how to come together in the face of political divide. She says she herself will start by helping to arrange mental health support for other Minnesota politicians who have now lost a friend or colleague.

"I'm hoping this time, at least here in Minnesota, we will stop and try to make something better of this. I think if any state in the country can do it, it's ours, because we're a purple state."

"We need to put a stop to this," she says.