MINNESOTA Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband have been killed at their home in a "politically-motivated assassination" as No Kings fliers were found in suspect's car.
The gunman who posed as a police officer also targeted Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home in Champlin hours earlier, severely injuring them both.
The couple is out of surgery after being shot multiple times and Governor Tim Walz said at a press conference he is "cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt".
The series of targeted attacks took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Walz's former appointee Vance Boelter, 57, has been named by police as the suspect.
He was last seen on Saturday morning in the Twin Cities area wearing a light colored cowboy hat, light pants and a dark long sleeve shirt.
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The Governor called the events an "unspeakable tragedy" as he confirmed the deaths of his "good friend and colleague" Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark who died at the scene.
The pair were "shot and killed this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination," he told reporters.
"Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends."
It was later confirmed that fliers from the 'No Kings' movement were found in the gunman's vehicle.
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Millions are taking to the streets across the country today in a series of organized anti-Trump demonstrations during the President's DC military parade to protest the expansion of his executive powers.
"We don't have any direct links, however there were some fliers that said 'No Kings' within the suspect vehicle, and as we know, the events planned throughout the state of Minnesota is a No Kings event," Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said.
Demonstrations in Anoka and northeast Minneapolis were canceled following the news of the shootings, but thousands are still expected to attend the protest at the Minnesota State Capitol in St Paul.
The state Department of Public Safety has urged the public not to attend.
A search of the gunman's vehicle, that looks almost identical to an SUV squad car, also revealed a manifesto with the details of "many lawmakers and other officials".
Hortman and Hoffman were both named on the list and everyone else has been alerted and had their security ramped up.
'UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY'
Cops first received a call of a shooting at the home of Hoffman and his wife in Champlin just after 2 am local time where officers performed life-saving measures.
Hoffman and his wife are "both alive but suffered gunshot wounds and are obviously in a difficult situation," Drew Evans the superintendent at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed.
Just hours later, Hortman's home which is about six miles south of Champlin in Brooklyn Park was targeted by the same gunman.
"This was an act of targeted political violence," Walz said.
"Those responsible for this will be held accountable and each and every one of us are committed to making sure a tragedy like this never repeats itself," he added.
Evans told reporters how the second attack unfolded while cops were still on scene at the Hoffmans' home.
While still dealing with that situation, at 3.35 am a second call was received about a shooting at the home of the Hortmans.
Evans explained how cops were already on their way to the property as part of "due diligence" to check on Speaker Hortman following the first shooting.
DISGUISED AS COP
Brooklyn Park Police officers arrived at the residence where they saw a fake cop car with its lights flashing in the driveway and the suspect posing as a police officer.
"When our officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire and the suspect retreated back into the home," Brooklyn Park Police chief Mark Bruley told reporters.
"It was not a real officer this is somebody who clearly had been impersonating a police officer using the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home."
The suspect fled the scene by foot after exiting the back of the house while wearing a vest with a taser and other equipment you would expect on a police officer.
"If they were in this room you would assume they were a police officer," Bruley noted.
SHELTER-IN-PLACE
Law enforcement have issued a shelter-in-place order in and around Brooklyn Park as they continue to hunt for the suspect who they have not named while the situation remains "active".
Hundreds of police officers, SWAT teams, and the FBI are involved in what officials have called an "extensive manhunt".
Ahead of the news conference Walz said: "I’ve activated the State Emergency Operations Center.
"Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon."
Several people have been detained for questioning but no one has been detained at this time as cops confirm there are several people of interest.
At 5:30 am an alert was sent to residents by Brooklyn Park Police describing the suspect as "armed and dangerous".
"Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants," it said.
The shelter-in-place order is currently being enforced in the three mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course.
A second alert sent at 7 am warned locals to remain vigilant.
"Do not approach and do not answer door unless two officers approach together. Call 911 to verify officer identity first," it said.
Residents are urged to call 911 and stay away if they see the suspect.
Bob Jacobson, the commissioner of Public Safety for Minnesota called it a "dark day" and said the targeting of elected officials was "cowardly".
"The suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms and what our uniforms are meant to represent," he told reporters.
"That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of use who wear the badge with honor and responsibility."
Hortman, 55, represented District 34 B and was minority leader between 2017 and 2019 before becoming speaking from 2019 to 2025.
She and her husband Mark Hortman and the pair are survived by their two children.
Senator Hoffman was elected to Senate in 2012 and is serving his fourth term representing District 34 which includes Champlin and Brooklyn Park.
He has a wife and daughter who live in Champlin.
President Donald Trump called the shootings "horrific" and vowed that those responsible will face "the fullest extent of the law".
A statement released on the President's behalf by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.
"Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law.
"Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.
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"God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!"
During the press conference, Walz called for everyone across the country "to take a stand against all forms of political violence" during a "precipice moment".
Governor Tim Walz full statement
Today Minnesota lost a great leader, and I lost a friend.
A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state Capitol, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place.
She served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and tirelessness.
Minnesota's thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated.
We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint.
We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate.
We must stand united against all forms of violence - and I call on everyone to join me in that commitment.
To the responding officers, thank you for your bravery and your swift action.
A state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation is underway, and we will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice.
We will not let fear win.