# Breaking news: Minnesota assassin targeting Democrats 2025-06-14 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** breaking-news\ **Created:** [June 14, 2025, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626 "2025-06-14T14:07:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/1 "2025-06-14T14:07:38Z")
Yup, some MAGA type I’d assume is going after Democratic lawmakers and has shot two and their spouses. Unclear who if anyone has died. > **[2 Minnesota lawmakers shot in apparent 'targeted' incidents, in grave...](https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-minnesota-lawmakers-shot-targeted-incident-officials/story?id=122840751)** > > Two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot in apparent "targeted" incidents on Saturday that left them in grave condition, officials said. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/2 "2025-06-14T14:24:33Z")
[https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/brooklyn-park-police-issue-shelter-in-place-for-neighborhood-in-search-of-suspect/89-8fd83fc5-f7b7-416a-b78f-d265e6803ac7](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/brooklyn-park-police-issue-shelter-in-place-for-neighborhood-in-search-of-suspect/89-8fd83fc5-f7b7-416a-b78f-d265e6803ac7) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/3 "2025-06-14T14:39:20Z")
I suspect things like this will only get worse/more common before they get better (if ever). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/4 "2025-06-14T14:47:49Z")
I suspect open support and encouragement of this shit from some Congressional leaders will become more and more brazen. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/5 "2025-06-14T14:57:40Z")
Part of me is a little surprised it took this long. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/6 "2025-06-14T14:58:28Z")
What the actual fuck?! And why was this story buried below the fold on the NYT? I guess it was just a matter of time before some MAGA motherfucker decided that Trump was speaking to him and telling him to do this. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/7 "2025-06-14T15:02:26Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > And why was this story buried below the fold on the NYT? Maybe because it’s breaking news and there’s not a lot of information yet. The CNN story, for instance, is currently very short despite its importance. As for the condition of the victims, Tim Walz has confirmed that State Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband have died. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife are apparently in serious condition. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/8 "2025-06-14T15:07:59Z")
I’m watching CNN on this right now. The Hortmans are dead, as Mr. Walz reported. The Hoffmans survived the shooting, but are in hospital. The CNN anchor said they were in surgery. The area is under a “shelter in place” warning. Plus, since the attacker was disguised as a police officer, people are being warned not to open their door to a single police officer. Coverage continues. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/9 "2025-06-14T15:45:07Z")
> **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lrl7qe63qx2h)** > > law enforcement officials say they made a proactive check at Rep. Hortman's home after a lawmaker who lived nearby was shot and found a "police vehicle in the driveway with emergency lights and what appeared to be a police officer at the door coming... Uniform, car, etc etc And _presumed_ to be _impersonating_ a cop Uh huh ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/10 "2025-06-14T15:48:15Z")
Are any “No Kings” rallies nearby effected? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/11 "2025-06-14T15:52:21Z")
It seems (as of 10:43a CDT) that police exchanged gunfire with the assassin but he got away. > Law enforcement authorities said the gunman was impersonating a police officer and escaped after exchanging fire with police who responded to the attacks. - [SOURCE](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/minnesota-state-lawmakers-shot-search-underway-suspect-local-media-reports-say-2025-06-14/) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/12 "2025-06-14T15:58:50Z")
Not sure how he escaped because it sounds like police took possession of the fake police car after the perp fired at them, but in any case, they had it long enough after the perp was seen coming out of the Hortmans’s house, and found this (from CNN updates): > A manifesto identifying “many lawmakers and other officials,” was found when law enforcement searched the vehicle of the suspect wanted in the assasination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, according to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/13 "2025-06-14T16:00:58Z")
Rallies in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park have been cancelled. The big one in St. Paul is still on. Gov. Waltz is scheduled to speak at that one, but now that seems doubtful. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/14 "2025-06-14T16:01:58Z")
It is now the top story on the NYT website. Also on the FOX News website. The brevity of those articles could be due to limited information. > [@wolfpup](#): > > it sounds like police took possession of the fake police car after the perp fired at them Could you point me to a source confirming the police car was fake? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/15 "2025-06-14T16:12:33Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Could you point me to a source confirming the police car was fake? Here’s the part of the press conference where the local police chief describes initial contact with the suspect. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RL1jJLhyLBg/maxresdefault.jpg "LIVE | Minnesota lawmaker shootings news conference") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL1jJLhyLBg&t=2657) ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/16 "2025-06-14T16:14:06Z")
> **10 a.m. -** Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said that when officers arrived to the Hortman home, they noticed a vehicle with emergency lights what appeared to be a police officer at the door, “when our officers confronted him he immediately fired at officers and retreated back into the home.” He fled back into the house after being confronted by police. They went to the threshold and saw a man that was down and dragged him out to safety, he was pronounced dead shortly after. Police then went in with a drone to identify Hortman dead in the home. > > “This was not a real police officer, this was a person who was clearly impersonating a police officer wearing the trust of this badge to manipulate their way into the home,” Bruley said. > > **The suspect drove a vehicle that looked exactly like an SUV squad equipped with emergency lights, a Taser and badge.** There was “no question that if they were in this room you would assume that they are a police officer.” > **[Live: Rep. Melissa Hortman assassinated, others shot in ‘targeted’ attack](https://www.startribune.com/brooklyn-park-police-searching-for-suspect-in-multiple-targeted-shootings/601372993)** > > Authorities said suspect impersonated a police officer, and a “manifesto” was recovered with lawmakers’ names. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/17 "2025-06-14T16:17:07Z")
Shit. That will only encourage copycats. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/18 "2025-06-14T16:20:57Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Could you point me to a source confirming the police car was fake? Only that that there are news reports all over the place regarding the suspect being a fake police officer, **[like here](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/minnesota-lawmakers-shot-1.7561491)**. From that article: > ## Suspect posing as law enforcement official > > Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer. > > “Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility,” he said. That the police car was fake seems like a good bet, but I haven’t seen confirmation other than it was fitted out to look like an unmarked patrol vehicle, with a push bumper and flashing red and blue lights. And a search of it revealed a manifesto targeting other political leaders. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/19 "2025-06-14T16:27:31Z")
I’m still not getting how they know he is a “fake” officer. He had a uniform, badge and was driving a vehicle that looked like a genuine police vehicle. In the press conference he says if the person were in the room he would appear to be a real officer. I don’t intend to take this thread off topic but I am genuinely curious how they know he is a fake officer. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626/20 "2025-06-14T16:29:38Z")
I can see some folks thinking it was a rogue real cop. But that’s not the way to bet. OTOH, if there’s one thing real cops hate, it’s fake cops. it makes every interaction with every citizen harder once citizens get the idea that the “cop” in front of them might not be real. So there’s a couple was this can play out. One is copycats, the other is the real police making it real clear that fake police get shot, not high-fives. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-minnesota-assassin-targeting-democrats-2025-06-14/1019626.md?page=2)