(TNND) — A Minnesota state representative and her husband were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday by an individual posing as a police officer.
A second lawmaker and his wife were also shot multiple times in Champlin, authorities said at a news conference.
Police searching for the gunman responsible found writings inside a fake police car recovered at one of the shooting scenes, officials said.
The alleged suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter.
Officials said both Hortman and Hoffman were mentioned in the writings found in the suspect’s car.
“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” said Bruley.
State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic asked people “out of an abundance of caution” not to attend any of the “No Kings” protests that were scheduled for across the state on Saturday.
Bogojevic said the suspect has some “No Kings” flyers in their car but there is no direct evidence that protests would be targeted.
Organizers announced that all of the protests across the state were cancelled.
Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse were killed in the incident. The other lawmaker identified as Democratic state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife were wounded.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called the incidents “targeted political violence.”
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said at a press conference Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
Hoffman was elected in 2012 and previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. He has one daughter and represents a district north of Minneapolis.
Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children
Authorities are actively searching for a suspect, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
A “shelter in place” order went into effect early Saturday, Evans said.
According to Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson, the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.
“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” he said.
After an exchange of gunfire with the police, the suspect escaped out of the back of Hortman’s house, Police Chief Mark Bruley said.
The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Bruley said.
President Donald Trump said that the FBI would join in on the investigation in a White House statement.
“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!”
The investigation remains ongoing
