Two Democratic lawmakers and spouses shot in their homes as police issue shelter-in-place alert
A US mayor says two state politicians were shot in their homes.
Minnesota mayor Ryan Sabas of Champlin said state senator John Hoffman and state representative Melissa Hortman were shot, as well as their respective partners.
Tragically Hortman and her husband have been confirmed to have died in the ordeal, says CBS News.
A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that investigators believe that the suspect may have been posing as a law enforcement officer.
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The person said investigators were still working to establish motive for the attacks and were still in the early stages of an investigation.
Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm.
He previously served as vice-chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota.
Meanwhile Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state legislature and a former house speaker. She was first elected in 2004.
Both Hoffman and Hortman represented districts located north of Minneapolis.
Speaking out about the sad events that unfolded over night, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz branded the shootings as being 'politically motivated'.
"Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor, and a sense of service," Walz went on to say as he paid tribute to Hortman. "She was a formidable public servant. A fixture and a giant in Minnesota."
He added that they are 'cautiously optimistic' that Hoffman and his wife, who were reportedly shot 'multiple times', will survive the ordeal.
They are said to now be out of surgery and recovering.
In the wake of the shootings, legislators have been warned to take extra safety precautions, especially as the shooter is currently still at large.
The suspect is described as 'a white man with brown hair who's believed to be wearing a blue shirt and blue pants with a tactical vest', per CBS.
Brooklyn Park Police Department has issued a shelter-in-place order for a three-mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course, BBC News reports.
Police have warned that should they come to your door, they will be in pairs and not alone. If there's just one officer, you should call 911 and law enforcement will be able to confirm if a genuine member of the force was in your area.
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Niamh Shackleton