A US politician and her husband have been killed in a politically motivated shooting, according to a state governor.
State representative Melissa Hortman was shot along with her husband, both dying of gunshot wounds in the "targeted" attack in Minnesota on Saturday.
Minnesota mayor Ryan Sabas of Champlin said state senator Hoffman and his wife were also shot. Their condition is unknown.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect and post-mortem examinations will be carried out to determine extent of injuries.
Officials said the suspect was dressed as a law enforcement officer.
The person said investigators were still working to establish motive for the attacks and were still in the early stages of an investigation.
Governor Tim Walz said the shooting was targeted.
Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state legislature and a former house speaker. She was first elected in 2004.
Hortman, a lawyer, was married and leaves two children.
Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm.
He previously served as vice-chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter.
Both Hoffman and Hortman represent districts located north of Minneapolis.
Public safety commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.
He said: “Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility.”
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.
Giffords, the national gun violence prevention organisation led by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.
“I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants,” Giffords said.
“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself.
“Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”
Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others.
She stepped down from congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
