CHAMPLIN, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota mayor says two state lawmakers were shot in their homes early Saturday.
Mayor Ryan Sabas of Champlin reported that state senator John Hoffman, state representative Melissa Hortman, and Hoffman’s wife were all victims of a shooting.
According to a source who spoke to The Associated Press, investigators suspect the shooter might have been pretending to be a police officer. They are still trying to determine the motive behind the attacks and are in the preliminary stages of the investigation.
Gov. Tim Walz said the shooting was targeted.
Hoffman, a member of the Democratic Party, first took office in 2012. He is the founder of Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consultancy firm. Prior to this, he was the vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which oversees the largest school district in Minnesota.
Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Hortman is the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker.
She was first elected in 2004. Hortman, a lawyer, is married and has two children.
Both Hoffman and Hortman represent districts located north of Minneapolis.
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.
GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.
“I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants,” Giffords said. “My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”
Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
