Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), with the Minneapolis and St. Paul Jewish Federations, released the following statement:

“Our community is devastated by the horrifying assassinations of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the attempted assassinations of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette,” said Steve Hunegs, JCRC Executive Director. “We are praying fervently for the Hoffmans’ complete and swift recovery.”

“This unfathomable attack targeted two of our state’s most beloved public servants,” said Ethan Roberts, JCRC Deputy Executive Director. “I had the privilege of working with Speaker Emerita Hortman for eighteen years, including most memorably when Melissa and Mark traveled to Israel with the JCRC in 2019. She was a steadfast ally of our Jewish community. Most of all, Melissa was a remarkable leader, respected by everyone, whose wise leadership at the Capitol will be missed beyond measure.”

“Senator Hoffman is a tireless advocate for Minnesotans with disabilities with close ties to our Jewish community,” Roberts added. “We are hopeful he and Yvette will survive this.

Hunegs concluded:

“We mourn with the Hortman family, and we hold the Hoffman family in our hearts as we pray for healing. Our JCRC security team continues to monitor developments and remains vigilant in safeguarding our community.

“Acts of political violence are an assault on democracy itself. They aim to instill fear, silence public servants, and unravel the civic fabric that holds us together. We cannot allow them to succeed.

“We are grateful to law enforcement for responding swiftly and for carrying out a dangerous investigation with courage and professionalism

“May justice be swiftly brought to the perpetrator of this heinous crime.

“May the memories of Melissa and Mark forever be a blessing.”