Targeted Shootings Strike Homes of Minnesota Lawmakers

The homes of State Senator John Hoffman and Melissa Hortman in Minnesota suffered shootings, prompting local authorities to issue safety measures and alerts regarding the situation, which remains under investigation.

The homes of two Minnesota state lawmakers were the focus of targeted shootings early Saturday morning, reports indicate. State Senator John Hoffman and former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, both affiliated with the Democratic-Farmer-Labour (DFL) Party, were victims in their residences located in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, close to Minneapolis. Information regarding any injuries or conditions of those shot at the locations has not yet been disclosed.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed the occurrence of these "targeted shootings." In response, the Brooklyn Park Police Department has implemented a shelter-in-place measure for a three-mile radius surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course. Mayor Zach Lindstrom of nearby Mounds View indicated that elected officials had received a significant "safety alert."

Authorities are advising residents in the area to exercise caution and refrain from answering their doors for police officers unless there are two officers present together, as per local news outlet Fox 9. Mayor Lindstrom mentioned on social media platform X that there have been reports of a potential suspect impersonating an officer, who has yet to be apprehended.

Governor Walz additionally announced on X that state authorities are "monitoring the situation closely" and have activated a State Emergency Operations Center, which is employed to manage emergencies or disasters in the region. The investigation into these shootings remains ongoing as officials prioritize community safety amidst rising concerns surrounding gun violence in the United States.