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The Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Lynx offered their condolences in response to the shootings of two state politicians and their spouses.
Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman were fatally shot in Brooklyn Park by a suspect impersonating a police officer, police said.
In a related shooting, DFL Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot in Champlin.
“The Minnesota Twins are horrified and heartbroken by the murder of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and the attempted killing of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette,” the Twins’ statement said. “Our deepest sympathies to the Hortman family, and our prayers are with the Hoffman family for a full recovery. We stand with all Minnesotans in condemning these senseless acts of violence.”
“Our organization has worked closely with both legislators and appreciated their duties as civil servants. Speaker Emirita Hortman was a friend of the Vikings for more than 15 years and a tremendous state leader who worked tirelessly to make Minnesota a better place for all residents,” the Vikings said. “She was a mother, a wife and a friend who genuinely cared about people and relationships. Our prayers are with the Hortman family as they give this tragedy and with all government officials who are mourning the loss of a colleague and friend. We hope for fast and full recoveries for Senator Hoffman and Yvette and safety for all members of law enforcement who continue to search for those responsible.
“These senseless acts should have no place in our communities, our state or our society. We must all equivocally condemn political violence, reject hateful division, and deliberately work toward mutual respect, compassion, and unity.”
Prior to their game against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Lynx held a moment of silence.
“(The game) seems pretty meaningless, certainly, hitting this close to home,” Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said before their game, via ESPN. “Today’s a tough day all around. Basketball is what we do. We’ll go out there and do what we do. But God knows what, when our game is over, God knows what we’re going to come off the court and learn what’s happening. It’s sickening.”
A shelter-in-place order has been issued within a 3-mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course.
The suspect wore black body armor, a badge, a Taser and appeared indistinguishable from true law enforcement, police said. He also drove a police-style SUV with flashing lights.
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“Our state lost a great leader,” Gov. Tim Walz said at a news briefing Saturday morning, describing the incident as an “unspeakable tragedy. “Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor and a sense of service. She was a formidable public servant, a fixture, and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many Minnesotans.”
Walz was “cautiously optimistic” about Hoffman and his wife surviving. Both were shot multiple times.
“This was an act of targeted political violence,” Walz said. “Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle their differences with violence or at gunpoint in the state of Minnesota.”
The suspect in the shootings remains at large.
Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
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