VNA reported that US Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, announced on June 14 that Speaker of the state's House of Representatives, Ms. Melissa Hortman (a Democratic), and her husband - Mr. Mark - were killed in an attack that marked a "political-motive assassination".
Speaking to reporters, Walz said: Bang Minnesota has just witnessed an indescribable tragedy my close friend and colleague, Speaker of the House of Representatives Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed early on the morning of June 14 in an apparently political assassination attempt.
In addition, Governor Walz said that Sen. John Hoffman and his wife - living in the city of Champlin - were also shot many times and had to undergo surgery in another attack.
Walz expressed cautious optimism that both John and his wife could survive the assass trial.
Mr. Walz stated: "This is an act of deliberate political violence," emphasizing that dovish dialogue is the foundation of democracy and disagreement cannot be resolved by violence or guns and bullets.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect impersonated a police officer and fled after fighting with authorities at the scene. The police are conducting a large-scale search campaign.
