Minnesota [US], June 14 (ANI): A Minnesota state representative and her husband were shot and killed, while a state senator and his wife were injured in two separate home invasions on Saturday. Authorities believe both incidents were targeted attacks against state lawmakers, according to ABC News.
President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the incidents and condemned the shootings as a “targeted attack against state lawmakers.”
“I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place,” Trump said in a statement shared on X by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
According to authorities, the suspect posed as a police officer and initiated the attacks by knocking on victims’ doors and asking them to come outside.
At a press conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were both fatally shot. Walz described Hortman as a “formidable public servant” and “irreplaceable.”
State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times. Both underwent surgery, and Governor Walz stated officials are “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”
The two crime scenes—Champlin and Brooklyn Park—are located just a few miles apart.
Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, reported that Hoffman and his wife were shot in Champlin around 2:00 a.m. local time. Officers were then dispatched to check on Hortman’s residence, where they encountered the suspect around 3:35 a.m.
The gunman, dressed as a police officer and equipped with a Taser and other gear, opened fire on officers. Gunfire was exchanged, but the suspect managed to escape. The suspect’s vehicle, found in Hortman’s driveway, resembled a police cruiser and was equipped with police lights.
Authorities also recovered a list of potential additional targets from the suspect’s vehicle. The list reportedly included numerous lawmakers, including the victims. As a precaution, law enforcement has deployed additional security resources to protect those named.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated she is “closely monitoring developments in Minnesota after what appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers.”
“This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.
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