Tragic Shooting Claims Minnesota House Speaker Emerita and Injures State Senator

In a tragic incident on Saturday morning, Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot at their Brooklyn Park residence. Governor Tim Walz described the event as a “politically motivated assassination.”

At a morning press conference, Governor Walz also announced that DFL State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times at their Champlin home. They have both undergone surgery, and Walz expressed a “cautious optimism” regarding their recovery.

“Our state has lost an exceptional leader, and I have lost a cherished friend. Speaker Hortman served Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor, and unwavering dedication,” Walz stated. “She was a remarkable public servant, a beacon, and a monumental figure in Minnesota. Her commitment to improving our state was unfaltering, and her absence will be profoundly felt.”

Authorities report that the assailant impersonated a police officer in order to carry out the attacks on both lawmakers and their spouses. A manhunt is currently in progress in Brooklyn Park to find the suspect.

Elected to the Minnesota House in 2004, Hortman served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2025. She and her husband leave behind two children.

During the 2025 legislative session, GOP Rep. Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring succeeded Hortman as House Speaker through a power-sharing agreement in a tied chamber. In a written statement, she condemned the attack.

“I am appalled by the malevolent attack that occurred overnight and deeply saddened by the loss of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark,” said Demuth. “With the ongoing law enforcement response and emerging details, I urge all Minnesotans to pray for the victims and for the safety of the officers working to apprehend those responsible.”

According to sources from 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, all other Minnesota state lawmakers are currently under protective custody, coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies.