Brooklyn Park & Champlin, Minnesota, June 14, 2025 — In a chilling act of violence viewed by officials as politically motivated, two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses were shot early Saturday by an assailant disguised as a police officer.
🔫 What Unfolded
At around 2 a.m. CDT, a gunman wearing full police gear—including a badge, vest, and carrying a stun gun—used a vehicle that looked like a marked police SUV to gain access to homes in separate suburbs .
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Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot inside their Brooklyn Park home. Tragically, both succumbed to their injuries (theguardian.com).
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State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were attacked in Champlin, several miles away. They sustained serious wounds but were reported “out of surgery and expected to survive” (theguardian.com).
🚨 Aftermath & Law Enforcement Response
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A shelter-in-place order was issued within a three-mile radius around Edinburgh Golf Course following initial chaos (thedailybeast.com).
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Responding officers engaged with the armed suspect at the Hortman residence; he then fled on foot during a brief firefight (apnews.com).
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Investigation of a recovered vehicle revealed a manifesto listing several targeted political figures, including both Hortman and Hoffman (apnews.com).
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A statewide manhunt is ongoing, supported by the FBI and Minnesota Department of Public Safety (thedailybeast.com).
🗣️ Official Condemnation & Context
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Governor Tim Walz called the event an "unspeakable tragedy" and described the shootings as "targeted political violence" (theguardian.com).
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Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson expressed heightened concern over the use of police impersonation to commit violence (apnews.com).
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President Trump and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords both condemned the attacks, labeling them an assault on democracy .
⚖️ Broader Implications
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Escalating political violence: The shootings underscore growing concerns about targeted attacks on elected officials in the U.S., with local and national leaders warning of dangerous trends .
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Security overhaul: Lawmakers nationwide are calling for enhanced protective measures, emphasizing caution when responding to individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers alone (kvrr.com).
Disclaimer: This article is based on verified information from law enforcement officials, eyewitness accounts, and credible news outlets as of June 14, 2025. The investigation is ongoing, and additional updates or developments published after this date may not be included.
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