Breaking: Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman And Husband Killed In Apparent Politically Motivated Attack; Sen. Hoffman And Wife Injured

Breaking: Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Apparent Politically Motivated Attack; Sen. Hoffman and Wife Injured

By MinneapoliMedia Newsroom | June 14, 2025

Brooklyn Park, Minn. — Minnesota awoke to tragedy Saturday morning after what Governor Tim Walz described as an "unspeakable act of politically targeted violence." Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home in the early morning hours, officials confirmed. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also critically injured in a related attack in Champlin but are expected to survive.

At a morning press conference flanked by top public safety officials, Governor Walz condemned the violence in stark terms.

"Our state lost a great leader, and I lost one of my dearest friends," Walz said. "Speaker Hortman was a giant in Minnesota public life—compassionate, formidable, and deeply committed to serving this state with grace and resolve. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many."

The coordinated attacks began around 2:00 a.m. when Champlin police responded to a shooting at the residence of Sen. Hoffman. Both he and his wife sustained multiple gunshot wounds. They underwent emergency surgery and remain hospitalized.

Roughly 90 minutes later, Brooklyn Park police officers conducted a welfare check at Speaker Hortman's home. According to Police Chief Mark Bruley, the officers encountered an individual impersonating a police officer who opened fire on them before retreating into the home. The suspect fled on foot and remains at large.

Authorities later confirmed both Speaker Hortman and her husband were found fatally shot inside the residence. Investigators say the attacker arrived in what appeared to be a fully outfitted police SUV and wore tactical gear, including a vest, badge, and holstered taser.

“This individual manipulated the trust Minnesotans place in law enforcement,” said Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson. “This was a calculated betrayal, and the suspect used the image of the badge to gain access and execute these attacks.”

Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) confirmed that the suspect left behind a manifesto and a list of targeted individuals. The BCA, FBI, and local agencies are working jointly on a statewide manhunt and have heightened security for other public officials.

“This is a moment of national reflection,” said Governor Walz. “If we allow political differences to be settled at gunpoint, democracy dies. In Minnesota—just last week—we sat across the aisle, debated fiercely, compromised, and moved our state forward together. That’s the example we must cling to.”

“Minnesota must stand firmly against political violence in all its forms,” he added. “We will bring those responsible to justice—and we will not let this be who we are.”

Brooklyn Park residents are under a shelter-in-place advisory as SWAT teams conduct grid searches. Police are urging the public to report any suspicious activity, particularly individuals posing as law enforcement.

“We are asking all residents: If someone claiming to be a police officer knocks on your door, call 911 to confirm their identity,” said Chief Bruley. “Our officers will not be operating alone. They will be in teams of two or more.”

Officials have not yet released the name of the suspect but have confirmed that multiple persons of interest are being questioned. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities expect to release additional details in the coming days.

Speaker Hortman, a DFL representative from Brooklyn Park, had served in the Minnesota House since 2005 and became Speaker in 2019. Her legislative work spanned environmental protection, workers' rights, and reproductive freedom. Governor Walz called her “a force for good whose moral clarity never wavered.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.