Melissa Hortman

Minnesota lawmakers and her husband were shot dead in their home early Saturday morning, something Gov. Tim Walz called “targeted political violence.”

House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, Democrat, whose husband was killed, Waltz said.

State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, was also targeted at another shooting at their home. Waltz said at a press conference that they were shot several times and had no surgery. He said he was “cautiously optimistic” that they would survive.

The targeted shooting occurred in Brooklyn Park in Minneapolis and Champlin in neighboring cities, Waltz said. The suspect is conducting a search.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Ruly said the suspect was impersonating a police officer.

He added that a suspect was using police “badges and unity” to manipulate him into lawmakers’ houses, even driving a car that looks like a “police car” equipped with emergency lights.

Minnesota principal Drew Evans said officials received a call about the incident involving Hoffman and his wife at 02:00 local time.

Evans said another phone call to police at 03:35 when police took the initiative to check on Hortman.

Police exchanged gunshots at the Hotman’s suspect, but he managed to escape.

Chief Lucie said they conducted an “extensive raid” with the FBI, SWAT and hundreds of police officers.

Authorities warned people in the area not to answer for police doors unless there were two officers together.

The Brooklyn Park Police Department has issued a site order to take a three-mile (4.8 km) radius for the Edinburgh Golf Course.

Zach Lindstrom, mayor of nearby mound landscape, said elected officials had received a “safety alert.”

Walz said he has activated a state emergency operations center – for managing disasters or emergencies.