Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in what authorities are calling a politically motivated assassination. A second lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife were wounded in the attack.
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated shooting, Governor Tim Walz announced Saturday. State Senator John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife were shot and remain hospitalized with injuries.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said during a press conference. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
Hoffman, first elected in 2012, serves as a state senator and runs a consulting firm. He previously was vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, overseeing Minnesota’s largest school district. He is married with one daughter.
Hortman, who represented districts north of Minneapolis along with Hoffman, was the top House Democratic leader and a former House speaker, first elected in 2004. The couple succumbed to their injuries, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Authorities said the suspect was disguised as a law enforcement officer, exploiting public trust in uniformed officials. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson condemned the betrayal, stating, “That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility.”
The shootings come amid increasing attacks and intimidation against political leaders nationwide amid rising political divisions.
Gabrielle Giffords, former congresswoman and gun violence prevention advocate who survived a 2011 assassination attempt, issued a statement condemning the violence.
“I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants,” Giffords said. “An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing as officials search for the suspect.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said...
Georgia could gain a direct electricity link to Europe under plans for a new overland energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye ...
Türkiye has unveiled plans for joint military exercises and defence production with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under a new security pact that i...
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
Iran and Afghanistan are seeking closer cooperation in agriculture, livestock and irrigation during a three-day Iranian ministerial visit to Kabul, as both sides look to strengthen trade and rural economies.
At least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in Ukraine in July, according to UN investigators, marking the highest monthly civilian casualty toll since March 2022.
Record rainfall in Japan killed eight people and stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Friday, as flooding disrupted transport and cut power to 20,000 homes.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 14th of August, covering the latest developments.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russian ports, refineries and shipping infrastructure are putting Moscow’s energy exports under growing pressure and disrupting key trade routes, raising concerns over commercial shipping and global food supplies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment