Shapiro calls on leaders to speak with moral clarity after Minn. ‘assassination’

Gov. Josh Shapiro called on leaders across the country to speak and act with moral clarity in the wake of what is being called a “politically motivated assassination” of a Democratic state lawmaker in Minnesota.

The governor posted a statement on the social platform X, formerly called Twitter, just before noon. It came about 90 minutes after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held a press conference announcing the death of House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman. She and her husband were shot and killed Saturday morning in her Brooklyn Park home by a man impersonating a police officer.

“Leaders across our country must speak and act with the moral clarity this moment demands,” Shapiro said. “This is unacceptable — we all have a responsibility to stand up and work to defeat the political violence that is tearing through our country. America is better than this.”

Shapiro said he and his wife, Lori, were pained by the news of yet another act of political violence. In April,  Shapiro and his family were evacuated from the governor’s residence after a firebombing damaged part of the first floor of the building. It happened after Shapiro celebrated the first night of Passover. 

38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg was charged in connection to what police say was a “targeted attack.” Police said Balmer admitted hatred toward Shapiro and planned to beat him with a hammer if he encountered Shapiro inside the home.

Democratic Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their Champlin home. Walz said they were out of surgery, and that he’s “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”

“We are praying for the family of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and all of their loved ones who have suffered an immeasurable loss. We’re praying for the full recovery of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, and for their families, loved ones, and communities at home and in Saint Paul.” Shapiro said. “I communicated with Gov. Walz this morning to offer my prayers and support. To the people of Minnesota: Pennsylvania stands with you.”

The shooter is still at large. Hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams in Minnesota are conducting a manhunt for the person, officials said.

Law enforcement said when officers arrived at Hortman’s home, they saw a police SUV with its lights on and saw the suspect was impersonating a police officer. In the SUV, police found a “manifesto,” with a list of lawmakers and other officials on it. Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.

The governor said he spoke with state Senate President Pro Tem Kim Ward and state House Speaker Joanna McClinton and offered the administration’s support in the aftermath of the Minnesota shootings.

The attacks occurred on the same day thousands of non-violent demonstrations are being held across Pennsylvania and the country that were organized by a partnership of labor, Democratic and anti-Trump organizations. An unprecedented military parade is also scheduled for later today in Washington, D.C., to coincide with President Donald Trump’s birthday.

The Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s sister outlet, the Minnesota Reformer, contributed to this story.