State Lawmakers Ambushed in Their Homes by Fake Cop — Killer Still on the Loose

Two high-profile Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were gunned down in separate, brazen home invasions by a man dressed as a police officer — and the suspected assassin is still at large, authorities confirmed Saturday.

The victims, Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman, were attacked in their homes just miles apart in what investigators are calling a coordinated and targeted assault against elected officials. Both were affiliated with the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), and early evidence points to a chilling level of premeditation.

Midnight Bloodshed

It began just after 2 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. Senator Hoffman and a woman believed to be his partner were ambushed in their Champlin home and shot multiple times. Mere minutes later, the same gunman — dressed in dark body armor over a blue shirt and pants to mimic a police uniform — struck again in nearby Brooklyn Park.

Inside that second home was Melissa Hortman and her husband. Both were shot and killed, law enforcement sources confirmed to local media. Though initial reports were cautious, Mounds View Mayor Zach Lindstrom publicly named the victims in a chilling post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “I never thought we’d be here. My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families.”

Deliberate and Deadly

Police believe the attacks were not random.

“This was someone impersonating law enforcement — and he knew exactly who he was going after,” a Brooklyn Park law enforcement source told a local outlet on condition of anonymity.

Both lawmakers were vocal figures in state politics. Hortman had long served in legislative leadership, including a stint as House Speaker. Hoffman, a seasoned senator, has championed a number of progressive initiatives.

Their roles in recent high-profile state legislation have prompted growing questions about motive — and whether political ideology or personal vendettas played a role.

Communities Locked Down

Residents of both Brooklyn Park and Champlin awoke to a nightmare. A shelter-in-place alert was issued around 5:30 a.m. Saturday for neighborhoods within a three-mile radius of the Edinburgh Golf Course — close to Hortman’s home.

The alert warned: “Police are looking for a suspect in multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous.”

By sunrise, the manhunt was underway.

Heavily armed officers, sheriff’s deputies, and FBI agents swarmed the area. Drones, K9 units, and door-to-door sweeps followed. The suspect — described as a white male with brown hair — was last seen wearing tactical gear and could still be posing as a legitimate officer.

Authorities issued a second warning just after 7 a.m. urging residents not to open their doors unless two officers arrived together — and even then, to call 911 to confirm their identities. “This man is impersonating police and using that disguise to get access to homes,” one official said. “Do not assume anyone in uniform is who they claim to be.”

Growing Fear for Public Officials

This violent ambush has sparked fear and outrage across the state and the country.

“This was a direct hit on democracy,” said Minneapolis City Council member LaTrisha Vetaw. “If our elected leaders aren’t safe in their own homes, none of us are.”

Investigators are now combing through security footage, surveillance systems, and digital communications tied to both lawmakers. Officials believe the shooter may have surveilled the homes for days or even weeks in preparation.

“This wasn’t spur of the moment,” said a federal agent familiar with the probe. “This was personal. And it was planned.”

FBI Joins Hunt

As of Saturday evening, no arrests have been made. A reward is expected to be announced in the coming days.

The FBI has taken over key parts of the investigation and is treating it as a possible domestic terrorism case, given the high-profile political targets.

Meanwhile, Minnesotans — and the nation — are demanding answers.

Who would do this? And how close are they to doing it again?

Stay with us for live updates as this explosive story unfolds.