Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: Former House speaker and husband killed in politically motivated shooting

CHAMPLIN Minn AP Minnesota Gov Tim Walz former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and husband were killed Saturday in a politically motivated shooting A second legislator was wounded on Saturday in attacks THIS IS A LATEST NEWS UPDATE AP s earlier story follows below CHAMPLIN Minn AP A Minnesota mayor says two state lawmakers were shot in their homes early Saturday Mayor Ryan Sabas of Champlin announced state senator John Hoffman and state representative Melissa Hortman were shot and that Hoffman s wife was also shot A person familiar with the matter notified The Associated Press that investigators believe that the suspect may have been posing as a law enforcement officer The person revealed investigators were still working to establish motive for the attacks and were still in the early stages of an inspection Gov Tim Walz disclosed the shooting was targeted Hoffman a Democrat was first elected in He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors a consulting firm He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board which manages 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 Hortman a lawyer is married and has two children Both Hoffman and Hortman represent districts located north of Minneapolis Related Articles Cities brace for large crowds at anti-Trump No Kings demonstrations across the US The Army is set to celebrate years with a parade that coincides with Trump s birthday This day in History June Ruth Bader Ginsburg nominated to the U S Supreme Court Thousands expected at No Kings protests across Colorado as tensions over immigration mount Trump s up-to-date moves pitfall politicizing the military which has long strived to stay above politics 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 disclosed the following comment I am horrified and heartbroken by last night s attack on two patriotic inhabitants servants Giffords commented 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 by a gunman who killed six people and injured others She stepped down from Congress in January to focus on her recovery