Minnesota Lawmaker Shooting Suspect Had Manifesto with 'List of Names,' Police Say, as Manhunt Continues

The suspect in the fatal shooting of a Democratic representative in Minnesota had a “manifesto” featuring a “list of names,” police have revealed.

On the early morning of Saturday, June 14, Sen. John Hoffman and Rep. Melissa Hortman were shot in attacks in their homes in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, respectively, with Hortman and her husband having been killed, officials announced. Gov. Tim Walz said in a press conference that the shooting appeared to be a “politically motivated assassination.”

Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley, alongside state officials, announced on Saturday around 10 a.m. local time during the press conference that the suspect, who was “absolutely impersonating a police officer” ahead of the shootings fled “on foot.”

“We do have the suspect’s car. The suspect is on foot. That is what the large-scale search is currently going on,” Bruley said. “I just remind residents of Brooklyn Park — I know it’s been a long time — but those that are within the grid that we made the alert out [to], to continue to shelter in place.”

Bruley revealed that authorities discovered a “manifesto” inside a vehicle. The suspect is believed to have been driving a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car,” equipped with emergency lights that made it look “exactly like a police vehicle.”

“I will tell you, when we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials,” Bruley said. “We immediately made alerts to the state, who took action. Alerting them and providing security where necessary.”

There were almost 70 names in the manifesto, including abortion providers, pro-abortion rights advocates, and lawmakers in various states, CNN reported. Law enforcement also allegedly found a Father’s Day card addressed to the suspect alongside a bag of ammunition.

Drew Evans, superintendent at the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said in the press conference that there is “preliminary information” telling authorities “where this is headed,” and police are working to provide that information publicly with “a degree of accuracy.”

“As Chief Bruley noted, there was a list of individuals,” Evans said. “The individuals that were targeted in this situation were on that list.”

“And so when we’re looking at that, as Chief Bruley said, its far too early in the investigation to be able to provide information. But I do think we’ll be in a position where we’ll be able to develop the motivation behind these attacks and we’ll be able to provide more information as this unfolds.”

During the press conference, Evans revealed that Hoffman and his wife were shot first and that police were alerted to the initial attack at around 2 a.m. The suspect “immediately” fired at police as they checked on Hoffman, officials said. Authorities added the suspect was pretending to be law enforcement, as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are all “actively engaged in a manhunt for” him.

The suspect is described as a White male with brown hair, who was wearing a blue shirt, blue pants and black body armor, per KARE 11.

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The Brooklyn Park police chief shared a message with locals about how to respond if approached by a single police officer at their homes.

“We’re also reminding them that, if somebody comes to the door and they knock on the door claiming to be a police officer, please do a couple things,” he said. “One, call 911 and confirm that the officer belongs there. If they are a police officer, dispatch will be able to confirm that that person’s a police officer.”

“Also, we have informed all our officers in Brooklyn Park that they are not to approach anybody by themselves. They’ll approach in pairs, meaning two officers. So if there’s only one officer outside the door, do not answer the door and call 911.”