Melissa Hortman and her husband “died as a result of an attack using the firearm of this morning, which seems to be a political murder,” said Governor Walz at a press conference, adding that Senator Hoffman and his wife, who were also the target of the assassination, were injured. “It was an act of political violence,” Tim Walz added.
He is suspected in the wild, extensive searches are underway, officials informed during a press conference. “This is a very extensive search action,” said Mark Bruley, head of the police at Brooklyn Park, where there was an assassination at Melissa Hortman and her husband. “We stopped several people and interrogated them, but at the moment we didn't arrest anyone,” he added.
According to the head of the Investigative Office in Minnesota, Drew Evans, the police were called for the first time around the second in the morning of the local time on Saturday after reporting that someone shot Hoffman and his wife in their home in the suburbs of Minneapolis. The officers intervened at their home and gave first aid to the spouses before they both were taken to the hospital.
Around 3:35 am, the services received another application, this time to the Hortman House. When police officers from the city of Brooklyn Park arrived, they noticed a police car in the driveway with emergency lights on and a person looking like a policeman leaving the house. As Evans said, the attacker immediately shot them. There was an exchange of fire during which the suspect managed to escape.
The Police Department at Brooklyn Park together with other law enforcement agencies from the office of Sheriff Hennepin, the Department of Public Security of the Minnesota, State Patrol and FBI, and BCA are now actively involved in the search for a suspect, whom they consider to be responsible for both attacks with weapons in hand, said Evans.
The authorities are looking for a man dressed in a vest with a stun gun, badge and other equipment similar to the equipment of a police officer. The suspect moves on foot.
– If someone knocks on the door and claims to be a policeman, please do a few things: first, call 911 and confirm that the officer belongs to this command. If he is actually a policeman, the dispatcher will be able to confirm it – the police head appealed, turning to the local community. – We also informed all our officers in Brooklyn Park so that they do not approach anyone alone. They are to approach pairs, i.e. two policemen – he warned.
Who was Melissa Hortman
Melissa Anne Hortman (née Haluptzok) was born on May 27, 1970 and was an American politician who was the chairman of the Chamber of Representatives of Minnesota in 2019–2025.
As a member of the Democratic, Agricultural and Room Party in Minnesota, Hortman represented the 34B district in the northern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids and parts of Anok and Hennepin.
The woman was first elected to the Chamber of Representatives of the State Minnesota in 2004, after two unsuccessful attempts in 1998 and 2002, when she managed to defeat the current republican Stephanie Olsen.
Since then, she was chosen every two years and performed many managerial functions: she worked as a deputy leader of the majority (2007–2010), minority spokeswoman (2011–2012), temporary chairwoman of the Chamber and head of the Energy Policy Committee (2013–2014), vice -chairman (2017-2018). With the recovery of the majority by the Democrats in 2018, Hortman became the chairwoman of the Chamber of Representatives.
In her legislative activity, Hortman strongly supported local projects and progressive initiatives: she was in favor of the Northstar Commuter Rail railway line, the construction of a new stadium for Minnesota Twins, and supported environmental policy, the right to abortion, weapon control and opposition to the obligatory identification of voters. She played a key role in the adoption of solar energy standards.
Stephen Maturen / Getty Images North America / Getty Images Via AFP / AFP
Policemen check the car entering the district on June 14, 2025 in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, USA, June 14, 2025.
Tension in the USA: Protests and a great parade
The situation in the United States is very tense, millions of Americans are to take part in protests today, which, according to the organizers, will be the strongest expression of opposition to the administration of President Donald Trump since his office has taken over.
As part of the “No Kings” movement, over 2,000 protests are planned in all 50 states, which, according to the organizers, are aimed at rejecting “authoritarianism, a policy conducive to billionaires and militarization of our democracy.”
Mobilization is a direct response to Saturday's great military parade of Donald Trump, which is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American army and coincides with his 79th birthday.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
