Minnesota Protests Cancelled as 57-Year-Old Suspect Sought in Lawmaker Shooting

Minnesota Lawmaker and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Second Legislator Wounded as Authorities Search for Armed Suspect.

A 57-year-old man posing as a police officer fatally shot a prominent Minnesota lawmaker and her husband in their home early Saturday, in what officials are calling a case of “targeted political violence.” A second Democratic legislator and his wife were also seriously wounded in a separate but linked attack.

Authorities launched a statewide manhunt for the suspect, whose writings — found inside a fake police SUV abandoned near the crime scene — included the names of multiple public officials. Governor Tim Walz condemned the attacks as “a direct assault on democracy.”

Two Lawmakers Targeted
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park residence around dawn. Hours later, state Senator John Hoffman and his wife were gunned down at their home in Champlin. Both incidents are being treated as politically motivated acts of violence.

“We believe this individual deliberately targeted these lawmakers,” Governor Walz said at a Saturday press briefing. “Minnesota must not — and will not — tolerate political violence of any kind.”

Senator Hoffman and his wife survived the shooting and are currently being treated for multiple gunshot wounds. Their conditions have not been publicly released.

Fake Police Car, “Manifesto” Found
Police said the shooter was dressed in a full law enforcement uniform and driving a vehicle nearly identical to a real police SUV — complete with emergency lights and sirens.

“When we searched the vehicle, we found what can only be described as a manifesto,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley. “It named several state officials and legislators, including the two victims.”

A shootout occurred between the suspect and officers at the Hortman residence. The gunman escaped through the backyard and remains at large. A “shelter in place” advisory was issued for the surrounding neighborhoods.

Protests Cancelled Amid Safety Concerns
Following the attacks, Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic urged residents to avoid public gatherings, including the scheduled “No Kings” protests planned statewide. While officials said they had no direct evidence the protests were being targeted, flyers related to the movement were found in the suspect’s vehicle.

Organizers later confirmed that all protests had been cancelled out of an abundance of caution.

National Response and Investigation
President Donald Trump released a statement expressing his condolences and confirming that the FBI and U.S. Attorney General’s office were actively involved in the investigation.

“This kind of horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America,” the statement read. “God bless the great people of Minnesota.”

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth called the killings “pure evil” and urged residents to support law enforcement efforts. “Please pray for the victims, their families, and the brave officers still searching for this individual,” she said.

A Rising Tide of Political Threats
The attack comes amid a growing climate of hostility and threats against elected officials nationwide. Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a 2011 assassination attempt, called the shootings a chilling reminder of the dangers of political extremism.

“An attack on lawmakers is an attack on American democracy,” said Giffords, now head of a national gun violence prevention group. “We must condemn this violent rhetoric before it becomes deadly.”

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts to contact local law enforcement immediately.