US politician and husband killed in ‘political' assassination in Minnesota
Law enforcement officers including local police, sheriffs and the FBI near the scene of a shooting in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, US (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)
A US politician and her husband have been killed in a politically motivated shooting, according to a state governor.
Governor Tim Walz said Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed early this morning 'in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination," he told reporters.
He said a second state politician, senator John Hoffman, was also wounded in the 'targeted' attack in Minnesota on Saturday.
Minnesota mayor Ryan Sabas said Mr Hoffman and his wife were also shot.
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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.
The person said investigators were still working to establish motive for the attacks.
Mr Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm.
A police officer sets up a perimeter with tape near the scene of the shooting in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)
He previously served as vice-chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota.
Mr Hoffman is married and has one daughter.
Ms Hortman is the top House Democratic leader in the state legislature and a former house speaker. She was first elected in 2004, is a lawyer and married with two children.
Both Mr Hoffman and Ms Hortman represent districts located north of Minneapolis.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect.
Post-mortem examinations will be carried out to determine extent of injuries, but Ms Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Mr Evans said.
Public safety commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.
He said: 'Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility.'
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.
Giffords, the national gun violence prevention organisation led by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.
'I am horrified and heartbroken by last night's attack on two patriotic public servants,' Ms Giffords said.
'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. 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.'
Ms Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others.
She stepped down from congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
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