Utah leaders respond to Minnesota shooting that killed former house speaker and her husband
Jun 14, 2025, 11:44 AM | Updated: 11:59 am
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz pauses as he speaks about the killing of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at the State Emergency operations Center in Blaine, Minn.. Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP)
(Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP)
SALT LAKE CITY — Leaders in Utah are responding to the targeted shooting in Minnesota overnight that killed former state house Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and injured State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
Sen. Luz Escamilla and Rep. Angela Romero responded to the incident in a Utah democratic leadership news release.
“We are heartbroken and outraged by the targeted political violence that took the lives of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and seriously injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife,” the news release said. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, and the Minnesota Legislature during this time.”
The news release went on to talk about what Hortman did for the state of Minnesota.
“Representative Hortman was a strong voice for equity, environmental justice, and the most vulnerable in her state. She was a fierce advocate for reproductive rights and for all Minnesotans,” the news release stated. “Her loss is immeasurable.”
Gov. Spencer Cox posted on his X feed about the Minnesota shooting, talking about how heartbreaking the incident was.
“The attack in Minnesota is a heartbreaking reminder of what happens when we allow hatred to replace our shared humanity. My heart goes out to the lawmakers and their families during this devastating time,” Cox said. “In a free society, disagreement is inevitable. Violence is not. We must recommit to the virtues that hold us together—and to the conviction that every person, regardless of politics, deserves our respect.”
The attack in Minnesota is a heartbreaking reminder of what happens when we allow hatred to replace our shared humanity. My heart goes out to the lawmakers and their families during this devastating time.
In a free society, disagreement is inevitable. Violence is not. We must…
— Governor Cox (@GovCox) June 14, 2025
In the Utah Democratic leaders news release, Escamilla and Romero also talked about how elected officials should not have to fear for their lives.
“Political violence and hate have no place in our democracy. No one, elected or not, should ever fear for their safety when expressing their beliefs or serving their communities,” the news release said. “We urge leaders at every level to recognize the tragedy of this moment and commit to deflating divisive and harmful rhetoric in our communities.”
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
