Minnesota Speaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Shot in Early Morning Attack

By James Berreth on June 14th, 2025

A gunman posing as law enforcement entered the home of Melissa and Mark Hortman in Brooklyn Park on Saturday morning and assassinated both in what has been called by Gov. Walz a “politically motivated attack.” Details are still emerging so there is no known cause as of yet. But Gov. Walz did say this of Hortman, “Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends. Speaker Hortman was someone who served the state of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor and a sense of service. She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many.” 

Additionally, DFL State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also shot at their home in Champlin by the same suspect. Both John and Yvette are alive, but their condition is unknown at present.  

This is a developing story and further details will be provided as they become available.