Tragic Shooting Claims Lives of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Husband; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured

Melissa Hortman, the Democratic House Speaker Emerita, and her husband, Mark, were tragically shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home on Saturday morning. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the incident as a “politically motivated assassination.”

During a press conference held on Saturday, Walz also confirmed that DFL State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, sustained multiple gunshot wounds at their residence in Champlin. Both were reported to be out of surgery, and the governor expressed optimism about their recovery, stating he was “cautiously optimistic” regarding their chances of survival.

“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz remarked. “Speaker Hortman was someone who served the state 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 will be missed by so many.”

Authorities revealed that the lawmakers and their spouses were attacked by an assailant posing as a police officer. A manhunt is currently taking place in Brooklyn Park for the perpetrator, and thousands in the vicinity remain under a shelter-in-place order.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans stated that police were initially called to the Hoffman residence around 2 a.m. and then responded to a similar incident at Hortman’s home at 3:35 a.m. Officers proactively checking on Hortman’s home due to its proximity to Hoffman encountered the suspect, who opened fire. The police returned fire, but the gunman managed to escape.

Hortman was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004 and served as House speaker from 2019 until her passing in 2025. She is survived by her two children.

In the wake of this tragedy, GOP Rep. Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring, who succeeded Hortman as House speaker under a power-sharing agreement in a tied chamber, expressed her sorrow over the attack on her colleague.

“I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth stated. “With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator.”

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reported that all other Minnesota state lawmakers are currently under protective custody, in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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New York Headlines Staff

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