Brooklyn Park issues ‘shelter in place’ amid suspect search

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — KARE 11 has learned that two DFL state lawmakers were shot along with their spouses in “targeted” attacks, officials said. 

Gov. Tim Walz said State Rep. and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park and her husband, Mark, were killed. He said State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times and are recovering.

Both couples were shot at their homes and police believe the shooter was posing as a law enforcement officer.

Walz called the attack a “politically motivated shooting.”

The two shootings took place early Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park and Champlin. Sen. Hoffman lives in Champlin and Rep. Melissa Hortman lives in Brooklyn Park. The manhunt for the suspect continues with police issuing a warning for residents.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief, Mark Bruley, announced in a Saturday morning news conference that residents in the area should not answer their doors if one person approaches. Chief Bruley Bruley said Brooklyn Park officers will be only traveling in pairs or more. 

Walz said he’s activated the State Emergency Operations Center. 

Earlier, the Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a “shelter in place” alert for a neighborhood on Saturday morning as it searched for a suspect.

The alert is for a 3-mile radius surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course.

Police are looking for a suspect in “multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous.” They say there is an extensive manhunt underway. 

The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair who is wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants. According to the alert, he may be representing himself as law enforcement.

Police said the public should not approach this suspect if they see him and should call 911 immediately. No further information has been released. 

This is a developing story. KARE 11 will provide more details as new information becomes available.