A senior Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were shot dead at their home on Saturday by a man posing as a police officer.
Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and seriously wounded but are recovering in hospital following surgery.
Reacting, Governor Tim Walz described the incident as a targeted act of political violence, describing how officers found a vehicle near the scene containing a manifesto with the names of other public officials.
Walz said that the gunman went to the Hortmans’ residence after shooting Senator John Hoffman and his wife, of Champlin, multiple times.
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.
A major manhunt is under way for the suspect who fled on foot after exchanging fire with police