US state politician and husband killed in ‘targeted’ attacks on two Democrats

A man posing as a police officer shot and killed a US state politician and her husband in a brazen attack at their home, said a state governor.

A second state politician and his wife were wounded in the attacks in the Brooklyn Park and Champlin areas of Minnesota on Saturday.

Minnesota governor Tim Walz described the attack as “targeted political violence”.

Police were searching for the gunman responsible for the attacks on the Democratic legislators.

Writings found inside a fake police car recovered at one of the shooting scenes mentioned the names of multiple legislators and other officials, Brooklyn Park Police chief Mark Bruley said.

Two people familiar with the matter identified the suspect being sought as 57-year-old Vance Boelter.

They could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed early on Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home.

A second state politician, senator John Hoffman and his wife, were shot multiple times in Champlin.

Officials say both Ms Hortman and Mr Hoffman were mentioned in the suspect’s writings.

“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials,” said Mr Bruley.

“We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary.”

State patrol colonel Christina Bogojevic asked people “out of an abundance of caution” not to attend any of the “No Kings” protests that were scheduled across the state on Saturday.

Ms Bogojevic said authorities did not have any direct evidence that the protests would be targeted, but said the suspect had some “No Kings” flyers in their car.

Organisers announced that all of the protests across the state were cancelled.

Hours after the shootings, hundreds of police and sheriff deputies from departments in the region, some in tactical gear with assault style weapons were scattered through the town.

They were also occasional police roadblocks where cars are stopped and checked.

Mr Walz said Ms Hortman and Mr Hoffman were deliberately targeted.

“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Mr Walz said at a press conference Saturday.

“Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”

At the time of her death, Ms Hortman was the top Democratic leader in the state legislature. She was also a former House speaker and was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children.

Mr Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012.

He previously served as vice-chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota.

Mr Hoffman and his wife have one daughter and he represents a district 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.

A “shelter in place” order was in effect early on Saturday.

Public safety commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.

Mr Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Ms 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. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Mr Bruley said.

US President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.

“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law.

“Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”

Minnesota House speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Ms Hortman and her husband, Mark.

“With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Ms Demuth said in a statement.

The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.