Two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses were shot overnight by someone who police say may be impersonating a law enforcement officer. 

The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a shelter-in-place alert early Saturday morning and told residents in the area not to open their doors for a police officer as they hunt for the man, who they say shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife and Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in separate attacks.  

Ms. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed. 

Mr. Hoffman and his wife were wounded, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.

Both lawmakers are Democrats. 

Mr. Walz, also a Democrat, described the death of Ms. Horman as “what appears to be a politically motivated assassination.”

Two people were allegedly involved in the attack, police said, and they apprehended one of the suspects “after an officer-involved shooting” in Brooklyn Park, Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported. 

Earlier Saturday, Mr. Walz announced he’s activated the State Emergency Operation Center to help Brooklyn Park and neighboring Champlin track down the shooter.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon,” Mr. Walz, the former 2024 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, said. 

According to police, the suspect is armed and dangerous. He is described as a white man with brown hair wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and pants. They believe he may be impersonating a cop.

 Ms. Hortman recently crossed party lines to help pass a bill to repeal a law allowing illegal immigrant adults access to the state’s public health insurance program, MinnesotaCare. 

Mr. Hoffman voted with most of his party against the repeal in the Minnesota Senate, although the repeal ultimately passed with the help of other Democrats. 

Mr. Walz called the shooting “an unspeakable tragedy.”

• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.