Minnesota 'No Kings' Protests Canceled After Lawmakers Shot in 'Politically Motivated' Attack

Minnesota organizers have cancelled the "No Kings" protests against President Donald Trump, at the request of authorities. Police continue to search for a suspect who is believed to have shot two state lawmakers and their spouses Saturday morning.

State capitol protest organizers have cancelled all events.

Here's what we know.

Who was shot in Minnesota? 2 state lawmakers shot Saturday

Authorities have confirmed that Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed inside their Brooklyn Park home. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded in Champlin, another suburban city near Brooklyn Park. The cities are 10 to 20 miles outside Minneapolis.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has called the incident a "politically motivated assassination." He said he was briefed on "targeted shootings" early Saturday morning and had responded by activating the State Emergency Operations Center.

Police still looking for Minnesota shooting suspect

As of 12:30 p.m. CDT Saturday, authorities were still searching for a 57-year-old man suspected to be involved in both shootings. Just before noon, the City of Brooklyn Park issued a shelter-in-place order over a 3-mile radius at the local golf course. Police say the man dressed as a police officer and exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing.

"Police are looking for a suspect in multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous," the city said in a social media post, adding that he "may misrepresent himself as law enforcement."

Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette have one child and live in Champlin, according to his lawmaker profile. He was first elected in 2012. Hortman and her husband Mark have two children and live in Brooklyn Park, according to her profile. She was elected in 2004.

Minnesota protests canceled after targeted shootings

Protest organizers in Minnesota's capital, who initially expected 10,000 people to participate, canceled the statewide events early Saturday afternoon. They released the following statement:

Out of an abundance of caution and in adherence to guidance from Governor Walz and the Minnesota State Patrol, all remaining No Kings events in Minnesota are being canceled immediately. This decision comes in light of the ongoing shelter-in-place order and the tragic shooting that targeted two elected officials and their spouses. We are doing this in accordance with local and state guidance given the suspect is still at large impersonating a police officer.

Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the communities shaken by this violence. We are in close contact with our hosts, attendees, and state and local officials and remain committed to ensuring all other events around the country proceed peacefully and safely.

Minnesota police call for public to avoid protests after fatal shootings

Following the shootings, the Minnesota State Patrol asked the public not to attend the "No Kings" rallies on June 14.

"Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution," the agency said in a social media post.