Two state lawmakers, Sen. John Hoffman and Rep. Melissa Hortman, were shot in targeted attacks at their homes.
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — KARE 11 has learned that two state lawmakers were shot along with one of the spouses of the lawmakers in “targeted” attacks, officials said.
KARE 11 has confirmed that two of those shot are State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and State Rep. and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park. Both were shot at their homes and police believe the shooter was posing as an law enforcement officer.
The two shootings took place early Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park and Champlin.
“I’ve been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park,” Gov. Tim Walz said in a social media post on Saturday morning. “The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon.”
Walz said he’s activated the State Emergency Operations Center.
Earlier, the Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a “shelter in place” alert for a neighborhood on Saturday morning as it searches for a suspect.
The alert is for a 3-mile radius surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course.
Police are looking for a suspect in “multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous.”
The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair who is wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants. According to the alert, he may be representing himself as law enforcement.
Police said the public should not approach this suspect if they see him and should call 911 immediately. No further information has been released.
This is a developing story. KARE 11 will provide more details as new information becomes available.