In a shocking early morning tragedy, Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot, while Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in what officials are calling “targeted” attacks by a suspect posing as law enforcement.
The separate shootings happened Saturday in Brooklyn Park and Champlin. Authorities confirmed a suspect, described as a white man with brown hair, dressed in black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants, is impersonating a police officer and remains at large. Brooklyn Park Police issued a shelter-in-place order around 5:30 a.m. covering a three-mile radius from Edinburgh Golf Course.
The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Residents are warned not to approach him and to verify any police officer at their door by calling 911. The shootings left two active scenes—Windsor Terrace North in Brooklyn Park and 109th Place in Champlin.
Gov. Tim Walz said, “I’ve been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon.”
Mounds View Mayor Zach Lindstrom added, “I never thought we’d be here. My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families… It’s someone cos-playing as a officer and they haven’t been caught.”
Rep. Hortman represented District 34B. Sen. Hoffman represents District 34. Both are Democrats.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
