Walz urges Minnesotans to avoid 'No Kings' Day rallies June 14 after shooting
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz advises against attending political rallies due to safety concerns after targeted attacks on state lawmakers.
- Two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot, resulting in the death of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband.
- The suspect, who is still at large, impersonated a police officer and had a manifesto listing targeted lawmakers.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety are urging protesters not to attend June 14 "No Kings" Day demonstrations across the state.
The advisory comes as a precaution after two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot in targeted attacks June 14.
"Out of an abundance of caution my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today until the suspect is apprehended," Walz posted on X, formerly Twitter.
St. Cloud Police Chief Jeffrey Oxton asked people in the St. Cloud area to not go to public protests in the city on Saturday.
"Out of an abundance of caution & in combination with State and Federal authorities and due to the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight in the Twin Cities, we are asking the public not to attend any planned demonstrations or rallies in St. Cloud today," Oxton said on Twitter.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the "terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers."
"Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" he said in a statement, USA Today reported.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and her husband, Mark, died from their gunshot wounds, Walz said at a Saturday morning news briefing. Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his wife, Yvette, were also shot, and are currently alive.
The shooter is still on the loose. The suspect knocked on the lawmakers' doors while impersonating a police officer, according to law enforcement.
Authorities say the suspect also had a vehicle resembling a police squad car, and inside the vehicle was a manifesto listing lawmakers. Both Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.
There are two protests scheduled for downtown St. Cloud for June 14, "No Kings" Day. Several protests across the state have already been canceled.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.