A manhunt is underway after a US politician and her husband were shot and killed in their home in a “politically motivated assassination”, and another politician and his wife were also shot.
Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their homes, Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, confirmed.
State senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot in their home but are expected to survive.
The suspect was reportedly posing as a police officer, and officials said the alleged attacker escaped after an exchange of gunfire.
Both politicians are members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Melissa Hortman. Pic: Instagram.
Authorities have since urged residents of the Champlin and Brooklyn Park areas to stay in their homes.
In an earlier Facebook post, Mr Walz said: “I’ve been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.
Former US president Joe Biden with Melissa Hortman. Pic: Instagram.
“The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon.”
At a subsequent press conference, Mr Waltz said: “We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence.
Former US vice president Kamala Harris and Melissa Hortman. Pic: Instagram.
“Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
Post-mortem examinations will be conducted to determine the extent of their injuries.
However, it is clear that both Ms Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said.
Ms Hortman was first elected in 2004 – and was the top house Democratic leader in the state legislature. She also served as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Mr Hoffman, also a Democrat, was first elected in 2012 – and ran a consulting firm called Hoffman Strategic Advisors.
Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader, has described the shootings as “deeply disturbing” on X, adding that “violence is never acceptable”, and that he is “praying hard” for the victims.
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