A manhunt is underway after a US politician and her husband have been killed by a shooter ‘impersonating a police officer’.
Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their homes, governor Tim Walz confirmed.
State senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot in their home but are expected to survive after surgeries.
The attack happened in the early hours of this morning in the suburban city of Brooklyn Park, where a shelter-in-place order is in effect.
An SUV ‘equipped to look like a police vehicle’ was found abandoned as the suspect fled the scene.
Inside, police allegedly discovered a ‘manifesto’ naming other Minnesota politicians, who have since been put under enhanced protection.
Donald Trump confirmed he has been briefed on the shooting, which Walz said appears to be a ‘politically motivated assassination’.
Walz said an ‘unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota, adding that the state has lost a ‘great leader’ and he has lost a ‘great friend’.
During a press conference, he said: ‘We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence. Those responsible for this will be held accountable.’
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a police 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 honor and responsibility.’
Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman’s house after an exchange of gunfire with police.
The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that ‘looked exactly like an SUV squad car.’
Bruley added: ‘It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle.’
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.
