Police have confirmed that a shooter impersonating an officer in Minnesota killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home, around 3 a.m.
The shooter, yet to be identified, also shot and injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, though they were taken to the hospital, received surgery, and are expected to recover. The attack was called 'a targeted assassination,' by Governor Walz during a press conference.
A shelter-in-place has been issued for a three-mile radius around Brooklyn Park, after the suspected shooter fled after an exchange of gunfire with local police. Police located a list in the car after seizing it at the scene of the crime that named Hortman and Hoffman among a list of other politicians, believed to be targeted.
Residents within a three-mile radius of the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park have been warned that the shooter is 'armed and dangerous' and have been asked to stay home until the warning is lifted. The suspect is impersonating a police officer.
He was described as a white male with brown hair who was wearing "black body armor over a blue shirt," and was found by local police attempting to leave the Hortman residence. He was driving an SUV made to look like a police vehicle, complete with sirens.
An emergency alert read: "BKP PD issuing shelter in place order in 3 mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course for emergent event. Police are looking for a suspect in multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous. Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement.
"Do not approach. Call 911."
Yelena Mandenberg
Police find 'manifesto' that listed other lawmakers in Minnesota suspect's car
Police Chief Mark Bruley with the Brooklyn Park Police Department in Minnesota said at a press conference that they were able to 'sieze' the suspect's car - where they found a 'manifesto.'
While Bruley insisted it's an active investigation, preventing him from sharing too much until all information can be confirmed, he did say that 'a search of the vehicle' turned up 'a list.'
"This is rapidly evolving just occurred a few hours ago, and we're trying to sort it out," Bruley began. "We have partners from the FBI, the BCA Sheriff's office, and almost every suburban agency in our community helping us with this. So it's very complex and working on it."
"But I will tell you this. We did a search of the vehicle. There was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials."
"We immediately made alerts to the state who took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary, and I'll stop there."
Minnesota state police say there will be a large police presence at all political events today and extra precautions are being taken around the state.
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What we know about Minnesota shooting suspect so far
In Minnesota, police are still hunting a suspect who impersonated law enforcement and shot and killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and injured State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. They have yet to identify the suspect as the investigation continues.
Here's what we know so far, according to a press conference given by state Governor Tim Walz, and members of the police department.
- At 2 a.m. police responded to the scene of a shooting, at Sen Hoffman's house
- At 3:35 a.m. police responded to a call from Speaker Hortman's home, where police first encountered individual
- Suspect escaped in exchange of gunfire between officers and suspect
- Suspect was in a 'law enforcement vehicle' with sirens on when actual officers arrived at Hortman's home
- Police observed shooter was wearing police-looking 'vest, with taser'
- Unnamed suspect managed to 'flee' though 'back of home' in gunfire exchange
- Police have siezed the car suspect was driving during the time of shootings and uncovered manifesto
- Manifesto named 'a number' of other lawmakers, resulting in heightened security through the state
- Suspect on foot
Police continue to warn residents in the area to call the police and check that any officers at their door are registered. Protestors should stay aware that a dangerous individual misrepresenting himself as law enforcement is still on the loose.
Yelena Mandenberg
Police warn: 'Call police and check if just one officer comes to door' in lockdown zone
Commissioner of Public Safety for the state of Minnesota, Bob Jacobson, warned residents of Brooklyn Park that with a "large scale search is currently going on, I just remind residents of Brooklyn Park... that if somebody comes to the door and they knock on the door and claiming to be a police officer, please do a couple of things."
"One, call 911 and confirm that the officer belongs there. If they are. Police officer dispatch will be able to confirm that that person's a police officer. "
"Also, we have informed all our officers in Brooklyn Park that they are not to approach anybody by themselves. They're approaching pairs, meaning two officers. So if there's only one officer outside the door, do not answer the door and call 911."
"If it's a Brooklyn Park police officer or any of our partners that are assisting, they will come in pairs of 2 or more."
He further warned that residents should continue to shelter in place until the warning is lifted for safety.
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Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman killed in 'politically motivated assassination'
Governor Tim Walz confirmed that Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were both killed in the shooting.
"My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination," Walz said at a press conference.
"Our state lost a great leader, and I lost a dearest of friends. Speaker Hartman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor. And a sense of service She was a formidable public servant. A fixture and a giant in Minnesota."
"She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and we've been missed by so many. Minnesota's thoughts and prayers are with her family, her loved ones, her children, and her parents."
Yelena Mandenberg
'Suspect escaped in hail of gunfire' after shooting two elected officials
Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Drew Evans, went through the course of events in the shocking shooting in Brooklyn Park.
"About 2 a.m. this morning there was an original call in the city of Champlain where there was an individual that had shot Senator Hoffman and his wife. Police responded to that location.
They were dealing with that and working through that process overnight, and then later on at approximately 3:35, another call came in when it was officers proactively checking because they knew of the incident that occurred.
And they were going to check on Speaker Hortman at that time, at which time Brooklyn Park police officers encountered an individual who immediately fired at them, and they exchanged gunfire and then the individual was able to escape during that exchange of gunfire.
At the residence in Champlain, there were life-saving measures that were provided there. Both individuals were transported, as was previously noted, and they both received surgeries for their injuries at the hospital and their conditions."
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John Hoffman, Melissa Hortman, and spouses shot 'multiple times,' life saving measures provided
In an update, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said that John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were both shot multiple times and received surgery, and are expected to recover.
There's no update yet on the condition of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were also shot multiple times.
Yelena Mandenberg
Mayor Zach Lindstrom says 'prayers' are with Hortman, Hoffman families as he issues warning for protestors
Mayor Zach Lindstrom of Mounds View, Minnesota, issued a statement on X: "I'm just learning of the events that took place last night due to getting a safety alert for elected officials. I never thought we'd be here. My prayers are with the Hortman, and Hoffman families. I hope everyone comes out of this ok. I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok.
"Any type of violence against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok. My understanding is that its someone cos-playing as a officer and they haven't been caught."
"For those going out to protest today please do it safely and if something looks off say something we do not need anyone else to get hurt."
Yelena Mandenberg
Update: 'No suspect' in custody in Minnesota 'targeted shooting'
In an update on the situation, Fox News reporter Karen Scullin has tweeted that there is "NO suspect in custody," in the Minnesota shooting that targeted two politicians in their own homes with a shooter dressed as 'law enforcement.'
Scullin adds, "One person detained just for information but NOT a suspect. There is only ONE suspect. And he's still on the run."
Minnesota PD will have updates soon through a press conference. The victims of the shooting have been identified as DFL Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park and DFL Sen. John Hoffman in Champlin.
Charlie Jones
Grim warning from local mayor ahead of No Kings protests
Huge protests are planned across the US, including Minneapolis, today against Trump and his policies dubbed the 'No Kings' day of protest.
Mounds View Mayor Zach Lindstrom took to X to confirm the two lawmakers were among the victims and to give a warning to those going out to protest.
He wrote: "For those going out to protest today please do it safely and if something looks off say something we do not need anyone else to get hurt."
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FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul)KEY EVENT
One suspect in custody
According to reports on the ground, one suspect is in custody but police are still looking for another suspect.
A massive manhunt is underway with a number of agencies brought in to help.
Governor Tim Walz says he has iniated a State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), a central location used to coordinate response and recovery efforts during emergencies.
Charlie Jones
Spouses shot as well
The partners of the two lawmakers are among the victims, initial reports suggest.
There is no indication of the condition of any of the victims although they have been rushed to hospital.
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FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul)KEY EVENT
Two lawmakers shot including state senator
Mounds View Mayor Zach Lindstrom has confirmed that two politicians have been shot.
They have been identified as DFL Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park and DFL Sen. John Hoffman in Champlin.
The mayor wrote: "I never thought we'd be here. My prayers are with the Hortman, and Hoffman families. I hope everyone comes out of this ok.
"I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok. Any type of violence against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok."
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MN Senate and House of Rep)Charlie Jones
Everything we know about the suspect
The gunman remains on the run but police have released details about him.
The emergency alert sent out at 5.30am reads: "Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement."
Residents are warned not to approach him but call 911 if they see him.
He is believed to be driving a dark-colored SUV with a push-bumper, a spotlight on the drivers’ side, and red-and-blue flashing lights mounted on both the dash and rear window, local crime blog MN Crime reports.
Charlie Jones
Chilling warning to residents if cops come to the door
A second emergency alert, sent at 7am, reads: “Do not approach and do not answer the door unless two officers approach together. Call 911 to verify officer identity first."
The suspect is believed to be impersonating a police officer.
Charlie Jones
Governor Tim Walz briefed on shootings
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has confirmed he has been briefed on the shootings.
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Suspect in multiple targeted shootings
So police are looking for a suspect in 'multiple shootings'. The shelter-in-place order remains, three miles around Edinburgh Golf Course in the Brooklyn Park area of Minneapolis.
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Shooting victims
We don't currently have official word from authorities or details of injuries suffered by the shooting victims, but residents report there have been sirens in the area since 3am local time. The State Patrol helicopter has also reportedly been used to help search Brooklyn Park.
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Shooter description
According to reports the shooter is described as a white male with brown hair, wearing a back vest, blue pants, blue shirt and is believed to be impersonating law enforcement. He's driving a dark-colored SUV with a spotlight on the front driver's side, with red & blue flashing lights. The shooter is still at-large as of 4:45 a.m. Call 911 immediately if you see this vehicle or have any information.
Jonathan Lewis
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Shelter-in-place order in full
The warning, sent out to residents across Minneapolis read: "BKP PD issuing shelter in place order in 3 mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course for emergent event. Police are looking for a suspect in multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous. Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement.
"Do not approach. Call 911."
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Shooting 'at state senator's house'
Initial reports suggest the shootings were at the homes of politicians including one, in Champlin, belonging to State Senator John A. Hoffman.
Two people were shot at the location but their identities have not been confirmed.
It is also believed a second shooting happened a few miles south, in Brooklyn Park, at a home of another Democratic lawmaker.