A somber Gov. Tim Walz spoke concerning the work and legacy of State Rep. Melissa Hortman, who authorities stated was assassinated at her dwelling Saturday morning. Police stated the suspect focused her, one other Democratic state legislator and their spouses.
“Our state misplaced an expensive chief and I misplaced the dearest of mates,” Walz instructed reporters at a information convention.
Hortman, the previous Minnesota Home speaker, and her husband Mark have been shot and killed at their dwelling in Brooklyn Park round 3:35 a.m. by a suspect who was impersonating a police officer, investigators stated.
Minnesota State Consultant Melissa Hortman and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman are proven in these undated file pictures.
Minnesota Home of Representatives | Minnesota Senate
The taking pictures befell almost 90 minutes after the identical suspect shot and wounded State Sen. John Hoffman and his spouse Yvette of their dwelling in Champlin, based on police. The unidentified suspect, who had an inventory of different targets, fled on foot after partaking in a firefight with officers outdoors Hortman’s dwelling, police stated.
Walz described Hortman as somebody who served the state with “nice compassion, grace, humor and a way of service.”
“She was a formidable public servant. A fixture and large in Minnesota. She wakened every single day decided to make this state a greater place,” he instructed reporters.
The governor additional condemned the assault in a press release.
“We’re not a rustic that settles our variations at gunpoint. Now we have demonstrated many times in our state that it’s attainable to peacefully disagree, that out state is strengthened by civil public debate,” he wrote. “We should stand united towards all types of violence — and I name on everybody to affix me in that dedication.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks at a press convention concerning the taking pictures of two state lawmakers, on June 14, 2025.
Minnesota Division of Public Security
Different leaders from the state and past supplied comparable condolences all through the morning.
President Donald Trump additionally issued a press release Saturday morning condemning the violence.
“Such horrific violence is not going to be tolerated in america of America. God Bless the nice folks of Minnesota, a really excellent spot,” he stated.
The White Home stated in a press release that the FBI and the Lawyer Basic’s workplace shall be investigating and “shall be prosecuting anybody concerned to the fullest extent of the regulation.”
Former President Joe Biden spoke out towards the assault in an X publish.
“This heinous assault motivated by politics ought to by no means occur in America,” he stated. “We should give hate and extremism no secure harbor and we should all unite towards political violence as a nation.”
Democratic Nationwide Committee Ken Martin, former Minnesota Democratic occasion chair and buddy of each victims, stated in a press release that “like so many Minnesotans, my coronary heart is damaged.”
“Melissa, Mark, John, and Yvette — these should not simply names, and this isn’t simply politics. These are folks. They’re longtime mates to me and Jenn and so many others in Minnesota. They’ve youngsters, family members, neighbors, and mates,” Martin wrote.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks throughout a rally opposing Home Republicans Tax Proposal previous to the ultimate Home Vote on Capitol Hill, on Might 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Jemal Countess/Getty Photographs for Households Over Billionaires, FILE
Former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose California dwelling was invaded by man who assaulted her husband with a hammer in 2022, stated she was “heartbroken” over the state of affairs.
“Sadly, we all know the tragedy of when political violence hits dwelling very effectively. All of us should keep in mind that it’s not solely the act of violence, but in addition the response to it, that may normalize it. This local weather of politically-motivated violence should finish,” she stated in a press release.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson issued a press release denouncing the assault.
“Such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and each chief should unequivocally condemn it,” he stated.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar speaks to reporters following a weekly Democratic coverage luncheon on the U.S. Capitol Constructing, on June 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar stated she is “devastated” by the taking pictures and famous her friendship with Hortman in a press release.
“She was a real public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion,” Klobuchar wrote. “As Speaker of the Minnesota Home of Representatives, she led efforts to guard ladies’s rights, spend money on clear power, and safe free college lunch for teenagers. She was beloved by her colleagues.”
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, additionally responded to the taking pictures in an X publish, decrying the political violence and stated Hortman was “good and humorous and so devoted to creating Minnesota work higher for all of us.”
In an X publish, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar remembered Hortman as “an expensive buddy who confirmed me the right way to lead with ardour and integrity.”
“No matter our variations, nobody deserves this,” she wrote. “Violence has no place in our communities.”
Richard Carlbom, chairperson of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Celebration, stated in a press release that Hortman “represented the perfect of Minnesota.”
ABC Information’ Brittany Shepherd, Averi Harper, Lauren Peller, Isabella Murray, Emily Chang and Selina Wang contributed to this report.
