Blain, Minnesota (AP) – The governor of the state of Minnesota Tim Walz says that former heads of State Melissa Hortmann and her husband were killed in a political assassination. The second legislator and his wife were shot.
“We must all, in Minnesota and throughout the country, should stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said at a press conference on Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be responsible.”
The wounded legislator was identified as Senator John Hoffman, a democratic, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Adviss, a consulting company. He previously held the position of Vice Chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School, who runs the largest school area in Minnesota.
Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Hurtman was a democratic leader in the House of Representatives in the state legislative council and former Speaker of Parliament. It was first elected in 2004.
Hoffman and Hortmann are like the areas north of Minneapolis.
Drew Evans, director of the Criminal Fears Office, said the authorities were actively looking for the suspect. The officials said the suspect was wearing the uniform of the law enforcement.
Evans said that the autopsy will be done to determine the extent of injuries, but Hortmann and her husband died of his wounds.
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was a law enforcement officer.
He said: “The suspect took advantage of Zina’s official confidence, and what Zina aims to represent. This betrayal is very disturbing for those who wear the badge with honor and responsibility.”
Jeffords, a national weapon violence organization led by former Congress member Gabriel Jeffords, issued the following statement.
“I feel dismay and score due to the attack last night on two national public employees,” Jeffords said. “My family and I know that the horror of the targeted shooting is well. The attack against legislators is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak and condemn the exciting violent extremism that threatens everything represented by this country.”
Jeffords was shot in his head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and 12 others were wounded. He stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on its recovery.