Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said that US Democratic politician Melissa Hortman, a former state House Speaker, and her husband were killed in a politically motivated shooting.

"My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa and her husband, Mark were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination," Walz announced on Saturday.

A second lawmaker, State senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded in a separate attack, the governor added.

He said that officials remained "cautiously optimistic" that they would recover.

"This was an act of targeted political violence," Walz said. "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint."

What do we know about the incident

According to Walz, the gunman went to the Hortmans' home after shooting Hoffman and his wife multiple times.

Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities said the gunman was dressed as a police officer. He escaped after exchanging fire with police who went to the Hortmans' home.

A major search was underway for the suspect, who fled on foot after firing at police and abandoning a vehicle.

According to law enforcement officials, officers found a "manifesto" in the vehicle. Both Hortman and Hoffman were mentioned in the suspect's writings alongside other legislators and officials.

US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the "terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers."

"Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America," he added in a statement.

Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez