Ex-House Speaker Melissa Hortman and husband died Saturday in a politically motivated shooting, confirmed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
State Senators Targeted in Early Morning Attacks
Two state senators were shot at their homes early Saturday morning, informed mayor of Minnesota earlier today.
State Representative Melissa Hortman and State Senator John Hoffman were shot. Hoffman’s wife was also shot in the targeted shooting, according to Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas.
Investigation and Suspect Information in Case around Melissa Hortman
Someone familiar with the case reported to the Associated Press that police believe the suspect may have been acting as an imposter lawbreaker. The person said the investigators were still in the initial stages of their investigation and were still attempting to figure out the motive behind the assaults.
Hortman was the previous speaker of the House of Representatives and the highest-ranking Democratic leader in the state legislature. She was first elected in 2004. Married attorney Hortman had two children.
Background on John Hoffman and Melissa Hortman
Conversely, Hoffman, who is a Democrat, was elected for the first time in 2012. He is also the proprietor of the consultancy firm Hoffman Strategic Advisors. He was also a former vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which runs Minnesota’s largest school district.
Hoffman is married with a daughter. In the meantime, a manhunt has been initiated to arrest the suspect. The shootings occurred amid heightened political tensions when political leaders all over the country have been harassed, intimidated, and attacked.
Statement from Gun Violence Prevention Advocate
GIFFORDS, a national movement to prevent gun violence and led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released a statement,
“I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants,” Giffords stated. “My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”
In 2011, Giffords was shot in the head by a gunman, and six others were killed as well as twelve were injured. She stepped down from Congress in January of 2012 to focus on her recovery.
