Minnesota State Patrol asks public not to attend ‘No Kings’ protests in wake of shootings

The Minnesota State Patrol posted a photo to X of the inside of the suspect's vehicle where a stack of flyers stated "No Kings."

No Kings Protest
Law enforcement is asking the public not to attend No Kings protests. (Minnesota State Patrol/X)

The Minnesota State Patrol is asking the public not to attend the planned “No Kings” protests that were set to take place across the state today in the wake of the deadly shootings that happened Saturday morning.

Early this morning, Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, were shot in their homes in what authorities have called a “targeted” attack. The spouses of both lawmakers were also shot.

Tragically, Rep. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed. Sen. Hoffman and his wife survived and have received surgery at a nearby hospital.

A manhunt is ongoing in Brooklyn Park to find the shooter. At a press briefing and online, the Minnesota State Patrol asked the public not to attend the anti-Trump “No Kings” protests that are scheduled to take place in Minnesota and across the country.

“Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,” the state patrol wrote on social media.

According to the state patrol, flyers with the phrase “No Kings” written on them were found inside the suspect’s abandoned vehicle. The agency published a photo of the flyers on X.

Gov. Tim Walz also issued a statement asking the public not to attend the protests either. The governor was scheduled to headline a large “No Kings” protest in St. Paul along with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

“Out of an abundance of caution my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today in Minnesota until the suspect is apprehended,” Walz said.

Despite this, organizers of the St. Paul “No Kings” event say they are still planning to hold their event.

“We are horrified by these acts of unspeakable political violence,” wrote Indivisible Twin Cities. “We mourn with the state and the families. As of now, we are proceeding with the No Kings Twin Cities event. We think it’s important to gather peacefully. In the face of this horror, we will mourn and mark our determination for a peaceful, just, democratic future. Our leadership team is in touch with authorities at the Capitol and will share any updates. There will be just one change: The Capitol Building will be closed, so tabling will move outside, near the civic engagement area.”

Law enforcement have issued a shelter-in-place order for a 3-mile radius surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park where the Hortman family resided.

The shooter was allegedly impersonating a police officer. Law enforcement have obtained the suspect’s vehicle which was reportedly outfitted to appear as though it were a police SUV. Further, law enforcement said they recovered a list from the vehicle which contained the names of other lawmakers.

 

Hayley Feland

Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.