Governor Tim Walz announced the news at a press conference, describing the attack as “what appears to be a politically motivated assassination.” But the Hortmans weren’t the only victims. Earlier that morning, Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also targeted. Both were shot multiple times but survived following emergency surgeries.
The attacks began shortly after 2 a.m. when a 911 call reported gunshots at the home of State Senator John Hoffman. Officers rushed to the scene, where they found Hoffman and his wife critically wounded. Emergency responders provided life-saving aid before transporting the couple to the hospital for surgery.
What happened next was swift and shocking. The individual opened fire on the approaching officers. A brief but intense exchange of gunfire followed. Despite the chaos, the shooter managed to flee the scene. No officers were injured in the confrontation.
A multi-agency manhunt is now underway as authorities search for the individual believed to be behind the attacks. The Brooklyn Park Police Department is working in coordination with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Patrol, the FBI, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Superintendent of the BCA, Drew Evans said the case is now an active investigation and that they are doing everything they can to locate the suspect. Authorities have also issued a warning to the public in light of the suspect’s impersonation tactics. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley urged residents to remain vigilant.
“If somebody comes to the door and they knock on the door claiming to be a police officer,” he said, “please do a couple things: One, call 911 and confirm that the officer belongs there. If they are a police officer, dispatch will be able to confirm that.”
The Bureau’s presence marks a significant escalation in efforts to track down the suspect.
Melissa Hortman talks with one of her campaign workers, Zach Stephenson, while unpacking some boxes in her office in 2004
After earning her law degree from the University of Minnesota and later an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School, Hortman and her husband, Mark, settled in Brooklyn Park. The couple bought their first home on Windsor Terrace, where they raised two children and lived ever since.
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman bangs the gavel during a House session at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
In 2004, she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Over 11 terms, she became a leading voice on transportation, education, energy, and environmental policy. She played a key role in advancing Minnesota’s solar energy initiatives and, most recently, served as Speaker of the House.
