Emotional Tim Walz condemns ‘unspeakable tragedy’ as two Minnesota Democrat lawmakers are shot

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was emotional on Saturday morning as he announced the death of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman in what appears to be a ‘politically motivated assassination’.

Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed when a gunman impersonating a police officer arrived at their Brooklyn Park home at around 3.35 am early Saturday morning. 

Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot multiple times at their Champlin home and remain in critical condition.

During a news conference held just hours after the ‘targeted’ killings, Walz grew emotional as he reflected on the loss of his colleague Hortman, calling it an ‘unspeakable tragedy’.

‘Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends,’ Walz somberly said. ‘Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor and a sense of service.’ 

‘She was a formattable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota,’ he added. ‘She woke up everyday determined to make this state a better place. 

‘She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many.’

Walz also spoke about Senator Hoffman and his wife, explaining that both were shot multiple times but remain alive following surgeries, as of Saturday morning.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (pictured) was emotional on Saturday morning as he announced the death of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman in what appears to be a ‘politically motivated assassination’

Hortman (pictured) and her husband, Mark, were killed when a gunman impersonating a police officer arrived at their Brooklyn Park home at around 3.35 am early Saturday morning

Hoffman (pictured) and his wife, Yvette, were also shot multiple times at their Champlin home and remain in critical condition

‘We are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt,’ Walz said during the conference.

The Minnesota governor reiterated that the attack appears politically motivated, emphasizing to the public that peaceful discourse is the ‘foundation of our democracy’.

‘We must all, Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,’ Walz said.

‘This tragic act here in Minnesota should serve as a reminder to all of us that democracy and the debates in the halls of Congress, in state houses, in school boards, is a way to settle our differences peacefully and move society to a better place,’ he added.

‘I assure you that those responsible for this will be held accountable, and each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself in Minnesota or across this country.’ 

During a Saturday morning press conference, officials said they are investigating the possibility of multiple shooters – however, no one is in custody.

Local police, sheriff’s deputies, and the FBI have since launched an extensive manhunt, as authorities stress that multiple gunmen may be at large.

The first shooting occurred just after 2am at Hoffman’s home in Champlin, about 20 miles from Minneapolis. Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times, KSTP reported.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect’s vehicle contained a ‘manifesto’ and a list of targets, including both lawmakers

During a news conference held just hours after the ‘targeted’ killings, Walz (pictured) grew emotional as he reflected on the loss of his colleague Hortman, calling it an ‘unspeakable tragedy’

Walz also spoke about Senator Hoffman and his wife, explaining that both were shot multiple times but remain alive following surgeries, as of Saturday morning

The second attack took place around 4 am at Hortman’s Brooklyn Park residence, eight miles south. 

After that shooting, police made contact with one of the suspects in a gunfight on the street, officials said. 

However, Minnesota authorities admitted they let the gunman who shot the Democratic lawmaker and her husband dead escape, despite engaging him in a firefight immediately after the murders.

‘The individual was able to escape during that exchange of gunfire,’ Drew Evans, who leads the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, told the NYT. 

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect’s vehicle contained a ‘manifesto’ and a list of targets, including both lawmakers, according to The New York Times. 

Authorities believe the two incidents are connected and involve a suspect posing as law enforcement.